Kelly, Colleagues Push EPA to Drop Effort to Weaken Health Protections for Millions of Americans

This week, Senators and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) members Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and 24 of their Democratic colleagues demanded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdraw their proposal to roll back drinking water protections—which, if finalized, would remove federal public health limits on the amount of certain PFAS compounds in our drinking water.

The senators emphasized that removing these health limits will expose Americans to unsafe levels of chemicals that have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, immune suppression problems, developmental harm, thyroid disease, pregnancy complications, and liver damage.

“Safe drinking water is not a partisan issue. Families across the country expect that when they turn on the tap, their water is safe to drink. Congress enacted the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure EPA relies on the best available science to protect public health—not to weaken existing protections once the science has been established,” thesenators wrote.

Despite the administration touting their ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) agenda, if enacted, EPA’s proposal would rescind the 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for PFAS and delay compliance for the PFOA and PFOS standards from 2029 to 2031—putting the health of millions of Americans at risk.

“As far back as the 1950s, scientists observed that PFAS compounds could accumulate in human bloodstreams. It took decades of advocacy and heroic scientific research to reach the historic moment in 2024 when EPA finally promulgated the very first national drinking water standards for PFAS compounds. We cannot afford to go backwards and make Americans’ health worse,” thesenators concluded.

Kelly has long fought to protect Arizona’s water from PFAS contamination. In April 2025, he introduced bipartisan legislation to give states the ability to address PFAS contamination in private wells. In November 2025, he pressed Pentagon officials over delays in PFAS cleanup on military sites in Arizona. In July 2026, Kelly demanded the Department of Defense for answers on why they are delaying chemical cleanups at those Arizona military sites.

In addition to Kelly, the letter is signed by Ranking Member of the EPW Committee Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Edward Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).


King, Pingree Lead Push to Protect Federal Workforce at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and U.S Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), are urging the administration to withdraw a proposed rule that would weaken longstanding civil service protections for federal employees, including the nearly 8,000 civilian workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). In a letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Charles Ezell and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Chairman Cathy Harris, the lawmakers warned that the proposal would make it more difficult to recruit and retain the skilled civilian workforce responsible for maintaining the Navy's submarine fleet, ultimately threatening national security.

"We write in strong opposition to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)'s proposed rule 'Promoting Employee Accountability,’” the lawmakers began. “This proposed rule would weaken longstanding civil service protections that promote merit-based employment, due process and the recruitment and retention of skilled workers. Moreover, as Members of Congress who represent nearly eight thousand civilian workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, we are concerned about the proposed rule's impact on workers essential to our national security."

"By stripping away the procedures that keep discipline fair for civilian employees doing the work of naval readiness... the proposed rule introduces costly unpredictability in the workforce and needlessly undermines readiness. We are concerned this will increase attrition in the critical and experienced workforce that keeps our submarine fleet ready... We, therefore, ask you to withdraw OPM and MSPB's proposed rule," the lawmakers concluded.

Joining King and Pingree on the letter are U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and U.S. Representatives Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02) and Chris Pappas (D-NH-01).

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

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Director Kupor and Acting Chairman Kerner,

We write in strong opposition to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)’s proposed rule “Promoting Employee Accountability,” Docket OPM-2025-0012 (RIN 3206-AO91). This proposed rule would weaken longstanding civil service protections that promote merit-based employment, due process and the recruitmentand retention of skilled workers. Moreover, as Members of Congress who represent nearly eight thousand civilian workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, we are concerned about the proposed rule’s impact on workers essential to our national security.

OPM and MSPB’s joint notice of proposed rulemaking issued on July 2, 2026, unnecessarily weakens civil service protections and undermines workers’ rights to challenge removal. Current law provides agencies with the authority to address misconduct and poor performance while ensuring personnel decisions are appropriate, fair and consistent. This rulewould impose a short 30-day limit for performance improvement periods and make termination the default penalty. Theshortened window, coupled with termination as the default, could result in the loss of skilled workers who could have improved their performance if given sufficient time. Furthermore, the proposed rule weakens workers’ ability to challenge disciplinary measures by barring the use of union time to represent workers in removal proceedings.

Since the MSPB’s decision in Douglas v. Veterans Administration in 1981, agencies must consider 12 factors when examining the reasonableness of an agency’s proposed penalty for adverse action taken under 5 U.S.C. 7513. These include considering mitigating circumstances, rehabilitation potential and length of service. For nearly 50 years across Republican and Democratic administrations, these consistent standards have provided fairness to federal workers facing accusations of misconduct and created a framework for determining approportionate responses. OPM’s and MSPB’s proposal would instead require agencies to rely on an arbitrary, case-by-case examination of whether disciplinary action is reasonable given the “totality of circumstances” and explicitly states that “noparticular factors must be considered in every case.” This could allow agencies to ignore important mitigating factors and more easily remove skilled workers with strong rehabilitation potential from critical industries.

As you are no doubt aware, the men and women who work at our public shipyards are critical members of our defenseindustrial base, without whom the ability to repair, retrofit and refuel our country’s submarines would be in jeopardy. In our states, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) has nearly eight thousand civilian employees, creating more than $1.5 billion in annual economic impact in surrounding communities. As our military’s “pacing threat,” the People’s Republic of China, is rapidly expanding its nuclear weapons programs, the role that our own submarines play in the survivability of our nuclear triad cannot be overstated. In fact, PNSY currently needs to hire over 700 workers annually to meet the Navy’s demand – which is an increase from 550 over the past two years. Further, policies that reduce workplace protections risk making federal service less attractive to qualified candidates. Due to civilian hiring quotas imposed by the Office of Personnel Management, PNSY has struggled to onboard workers and cannot risk additional delays or departures. If the Administration intends to retain this political litmus test at our public shipyards, the costs of unnecessarily losing more skilled workers through this proposed rule far outweigh any potential benefit.

By stripping away the procedures that keep discipline fair for civilian employees doing the work of naval readiness and refusing toconsider important factors, the proposed rule introduces costly unpredictability in the workforce and needlessly undermines readiness. We are concerned this will increase attrition in the critical and experienced workforce that keeps our submarine fleet ready, ultimately harming the shipyard’s ability to meet the Navy’s needs and threatening our national security.

We, therefore, ask you to withdraw OPM and MSPB’s proposed rule, “Promoting Employee Accountability,” and consider alternatives that preserve federal workers’ longstanding civil service protections.

Sincerely,


Luján Champions Legislation to Strengthen Stroke Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a stroke survivor, introduced the Stroke Act, legislation to improve stroke prevention, treatment, recovery, and data collection across the United States. The legislation would invest in research, strengthen emergency response and rehabilitation services, expand access to telestroke care, establish a national stroke registry, and launch a nationwide public education campaign to help people recognize stroke symptoms and seek lifesaving treatment.

Stroke remains one of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges. Someone in the United States experiences a stroke every 40 seconds, making stroke the fourth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Rapid identification and treatment significantly improve survival and recovery outcomes, yet the quality and availability of stroke care continue to vary across communities. These disparities are particularly severe in rural and underserved areas, where patients often face limited access to specialized stroke care, rehabilitation services, coordinated systems of care, and telestroke technology.

“Every second matters when someone experiences a stroke. As a stroke survivor, I know firsthand how critical it is to receive the right care at the right time. Yet far too many Americans, especially in our rural and underserved communities, continue to face barriers to timely, high-quality care,” said Senator Luján. “My Stroke Act invests in research, strengthens emergency response systems, and equips communities with the tools they need to improve stroke care from prevention through recovery. This legislation will help save lives, reduce preventable disability, and ensure more Americans can access the care they need when every minute counts.”

“This legislation would increase our understanding of stroke care, improve the quality of stroke treatment delivered to communities nationwide and ultimately save lives,” said Mark Schoeberl, Executive Vice President of Advocacy of the American Heart Association. “Someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds in the United States, yet many strokes can be prevented, and recognizing the warning signs can help save lives. We thank Sen. Luján for turning his personal experience with stroke into action by championing this legislation.”

Specifically, the Stroke Act would:

Authorize $3 million annually for five years for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to support research on improving stroke care, including post-acute and emergency room care.

Authorize $10 million annually for five years for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish and maintain a national stroke registry that supports standardized, confidential data collection across states.

Authorize $10 million annually for five years for CDC grants to strengthen systems of stroke care by improving emergency medical services training, pre-hospital protocols, post-stroke rehabilitation, care coordination, and access to telestroke services.

Authorize $2 million annually for five years for CDC to conduct a national stroke prevention and education campaign focused on helping Americans recognize stroke symptoms and seek immediate medical treatment.

The legislation is endorsed by the American Heart Association, Adult Congenital Heart Association, and the American Stroke Association.

The Stroke Act is cosponsored by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Full bill text is available here.

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Luján Introduces Legislation to Support and Strengthen New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education Workforce

Introduction Comes as Trump Looks to Gut Critical Early Childhood Education Programs Like Head Start

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) – one of two Head Start graduates to serve in the U.S. Senate – introduced the Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen our nation’s early childhood workforce by creating a federal grant program for states to prepare, develop and support early childhood educators. U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) leads companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Early childhood educators are essential to children’s learning and development, yet challenges continue to strain the workforce and reduce access to child care for families. The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act would strengthen the early childhood workforce by investing in professional development, expanding career pathways, and improving educator recruitment and retention.

“As one of only two Senators who attended Head Start, I know firsthand the lasting impact early childhood education can have on a child’s future,” said Senator Luján. “To ensure our next generation is prepared for success, we must invest to support and strengthen our early childhood workforce. I’m proud to champion this legislation to strengthen the early childhood workforce in New Mexico and across the country by expanding career pathways, professional development, and the support educators need.”

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act specifically would:

Establish a five-year, renewable state grant program to support comprehensive early childhood professional development systems.

Require states to develop and submit a workforce plan in partnership with key stakeholders—including State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education, State Education Agencies, Head Start State Directors, institutions of higher education, and early childhood educator organizations—that outlines educator standards, career pathways, higher education partnerships, workforce data, and long-term sustainability strategies.

Require states to use grant funding to:

Provide scholarships for early childhood educators pursuing bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education or related fields.

Help educators with degrees in other fields earn early childhood credentials or licensure.

Increase compensation for educators while they complete degree programs and ensure pay parity after degree completion.

Expand professional development focused on child development, teacher-child interactions, family engagement, and culturally responsive practices.

“Supporting our educators is the best and most meaningful investment we can make in our shared future. Thank you to the leaders behind this valuable and important initiative.” – The Teacher Salary Project

“The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) commends Senator Luján and Representative Meng for championing the Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026. This legislation makes much-needed investments in early childhood educators’ higher education, professional development, and compensation, including scholarships, clear pathways to credentials and degrees, and wage parity for those who advance their education, which will help address high turnover, recruitment and retention challenges, and the shrinking teacher pipeline. Well-prepared and fairly compensated early childhood educators are essential to the success of our schools, our workforce, and our society.” – The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC)

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act is supported by: The National Association for Family Child Care, AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Early Care & Education Consortium, Educators for Excellence, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), and the Teacher Salary Project.

Full bill text is available here.

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Markey Statement on Commerce Committee Markup of KOSA

Washington (August 5, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, issued the following statement after the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) passed through the Commerce Committee by a voice vote.

“Today the Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance the Kids Online Safety Act. As I have said in the past, I have concerns about how this legislation could be weaponized against LGBTQ+ young people. These concerns are especially heightened today when the Trump FTC is unlawfully and viciously targeting trans kids. I stand ready to continue working with the sponsors on this legislation to ensure it doesn't hurt our LGBTQ+ youth.”

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Senator Markey Celebrates Unanimous Committee Passage of His Youth AI Privacy Act

Washington (August 5, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today celebrated the passage of his Youth AI Privacy Act unanimously through the Senate Commerce Committee. This crucial legislation would require AI companies to build safety and privacy safeguards into their chatbots for minors.

“Today’s unanimous committee passage of my Youth AI Privacy Act is a huge step forward for protecting kids’ privacy and safety in the age of AI,” said Senator Markey. “This vote demonstrates bipartisan support for robust privacy safeguards in AI chatbots and sends a clear message that Big Tech must prioritize kids over their bottom line. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the Youth AI Privacy Act into law.”

Emerging evidence clearly suggests that minors are especially vulnerable to the harms of AI chatbots, particularly as companies introduce increasingly manipulative design features and rely on large amounts of children’s personal data. The Youth AI Privacy Act would set new privacy standards for these systems, curb the business incentives that drive harmful design choices, and address the ways Big Tech has engineered chatbots to encourage compulsive use among young people.

In July, Senator Markey announced new support for the legislation, following its initial introduction in March 2026.

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Senator Marshall Calls on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Protect the Duck Factory

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined a letter today led by Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) urging Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to preserve long-standing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wetland easement protections that are critical to North America’s waterfowl populations and America’s hunting heritage.

This letter comes in response to a recent USFWS Request for Information (RFI) on National Wildlife Refuge System drain tile setbacks that could lead to regulations that weaken protections for wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region—widely known as the nation’s “Duck Factory.”

In the letter, the Senators wrote:

“We write regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Request for Information (RFI) on National Wildlife Refuge System drain tile setbacks because we are concerned it could be used to weaken long-standing protections for Service wetland easements.

While we appreciate your leadership in reviewing existing regulations and improving USFWS programs and policies, we are concerned that this RFI may be a precursor to aligning USFWS drain tile setback requirements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Swampbuster provisions, which allow wetland drainage when deemed to have “minimal effects.” Such a change would fundamentally alter the purpose and protections of permanent USFWS wetland easements.

USFWS wetland easements and USDA’s Swampbuster provisions serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable. USFWS easements are permanent property interests voluntarily purchased from willing landowners using taxpayer dollars to conserve wetlands in perpetuity. Swampbuster, by contrast, establishes minimum conservation standards tied to eligibility for USDA farm programs. It was never intended to define the level of protection afforded to permanent conservation easements.

Aligning these two frameworks would weaken protections for USFWS voluntary easements by allowing drain tile installation near protected wetlands under standards that permit up to 12 inches of water to be drained from a wetland over 14 days. Even modest hydrologic changes can permanently alter the shallow wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region, reducing their value for nesting waterfowl and other wildlife.

The stakes are substantial. The Prairie Pothole Region provides breeding habitat for more than half of North America’s migratory waterfowl. As we noted previously, waterfowl populations are already experiencing declines, and further habitat loss would exacerbate these trends, with consequences felt throughout the Mississippi Flyway and beyond.

For generations, hunters, conservationists, and taxpayers have invested in the National Wildlife Refuge System and related conservation programs to sustain waterfowl populations and preserve America’s hunting heritage. As Secretary of the Interior and Chair of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, we respectfully urge you to maintain the scientific drain tile setback rule that’s been successful for more than 60 years. We ask you to continue safeguarding waterfowl habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region. Maintaining these protections will honor commitments made to willing landowners, safeguard taxpayer investments, sustain waterfowl habitat, and ensure America’s outdoor traditions remain strong for future generations.”

Read the full letter HERE.

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Senator Marshall: Congress Must Permanently End Gain-of-Function Research

Senator Marshall Delivers Remarks Urging End to Gain-of-Function Research

Washington – U.S. Senator Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), today on the Senate floor requested unanimous consent for his Dangerous Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act, urging Congress to permanently end taxpayer funding for dangerous viral gain-of-function research and codify the Trump Administration’s recent executive action into law.

In his floor remarks, Senator Marshall reflected on the devastating loss of American life during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that Congress has a responsibility to ensure American taxpayer dollars are never again used to support research that could result in another global catastrophe.

Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.

Senator Marshall’s full speech as delivered:

“Mr. President, I rise today to ask this Senate body to join me in stopping the funding of viral gain-of-function research. Viral gain-of-function research is what led, of course, to the COVID virus being developed and, of course, the COVID epidemic.

I think it’s important to pause and remember why this is still important, even five or six years later. We all know we lost more than a million Americans to this COVID virus. Twenty million Americans still suffer from long COVID. Many Americans died alone—whether in nursing homes or in their own homes—without being allowed to have their children or their spouses visit them in those final moments of their lives.

We had tens of millions of students miss their senior year of high school or college. Maybe it was the state track meet. Maybe it was the state softball championship they had been working toward their entire lives. We still have children with learning deficits, especially in reading, not to mention the lasting effects on their social interactions and emotional development.

This COVID virus left a tremendous physical, economic, and emotional scar on America. That’s why I’m asking that we stop this viral gain-of-function research.

I’m also proud that the President recently agreed to stop the funding. I’ve been calling for this since 2021. I think it’s important to recognize how Anthony Fauci evaded the intent of Congress and even the policies of his own White House. President Obama directed that this type of viral gain-of-function research be halted, but Anthony Fauci always found a loophole. And when it became more difficult to conduct here, the funding was simply offshored.

Make no mistake about it: the United States funded viral gain-of-function research for decades. This was Anthony Fauci’s baby. He believed this research would be his ticket to a Nobel Prize.

Whether you’re a physician like myself, a mom or dad, a business owner, or a military officer, you always have to weigh the benefits against the risks. Frankly, I’m not sure what the benefits really are. We were told that if some unknown organism appeared, this research might help us develop a vaccine more quickly.

But the downside was always the possibility that a virus created in a laboratory could escape. And history shows that laboratory accidents happen.

In 1978, a smallpox virus escaped from a laboratory in the United Kingdom. In 2007, the foot-and-mouth virus was accidentally released from a laboratory in the United Kingdom. In 2014, the CDC experienced an anthrax exposure incident. That same year, unsecured smallpox vials were discovered at an NIH and FDA storage facility. Even laboratory mice infected with these engineered viruses have escaped from research facilities.

It simply seemed like we were setting ourselves up for failure.

Despite scientist after scientist, president after president, warning Anthony Fauci to stop this research, he persisted, and he persisted, and he persisted until finally COVID-19 was accidentally released from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, and the rest is history.

That’s why I believe it’s so important that we stop the funding of this research once and for all.

Let’s codify what the President has done and ensure that this policy becomes permanent law—at least until someone can come before Congress and say, “We have developed a foolproof system for safely conducting this type of research.”

But when you’re creating monster viruses, the worst-case scenario isn’t just an accidental laboratory leak. It’s terrorism. Once these viruses are created, they can be replicated and potentially turned into biological weapons—posing a far greater long-term threat to America than nuclear warheads.

Think about this: this virus alone has been exponentially more lethal than decades of nuclear weapons.

This bill does one simple thing: it stops federal tax dollars from funding the kind of research that can turn a virus into a weapon. No more offshoring risk to avoid oversight. No more asking permission from the very agencies that created the problem.

Therefore, Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding Rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of S. 738; that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that the bill be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.”

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SENATORS MCCORMICK, FETTERMAN INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO STRENGTHEN ADDICTION TREATMENT WORKFORCE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) today introduced the Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act, bipartisan legislation to help communities hit hardest by the opioid and fentanyl crisis by recruiting, training, and strengthening the workforce needed to support addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery.

The legislation modernizes the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, giving state and local workforce boards new tools to respond to the workforce impacts of substance use disorders, with opioids at the center of the crisis in Pennsylvania.

“In Pennsylvania, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating toll fentanyl and opioids have taken on our families and communities,” said Senator McCormick. “If we’re going to help more people recover, we need enough skilled workers to provide that care. This bipartisan bill gives communities more tools to train that workforce so more people can get the help they need.”

“Countless families have been torn apart as a result of the rampant opioid crisis, which especially impacts our workforce right here in PA. The need for treatment, recovery, and other support services is real,” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m proud to join my friend Senator McCormick in introducing the Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act to open up federal workforce development investments to help workers and families fight back against this epidemic.”

Pennsylvania has made significant progress against the opioid and fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl killed approximately 4,000 Pennsylvanians each year from 2020 through 2023, and preliminary data indicate that figure fell to approximately 1,500 in 2025, the lowest level in a decade. Sustaining that progress will require a strong workforce capable of delivering prevention, treatment, recovery, and other behavioral health services. The Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act gives communities the workforce tools needed to meet that demand.

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).

The Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act would:

Direct the Department of Labor to evaluate and annually share promising, evidence-based workforce strategies for communities responding to substance use disorder.

Expand the use of National Dislocated Worker Grants to support employment and training activities related to addiction prevention, treatment, mental health care, and pain management in communities where demand exceeds available state and local resources.

Broaden eligibility for these grants to include dislocated workers, long-term unemployed individuals, individuals who are unemployed or significantly underemployed as a result of widespread substance use in their area, and individuals employed or seeking employment in health care professions involved in substance use disorder prevention and treatment.

Read the full bill text here.

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Senator Moody Brings Crime Fighting Experience to White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud with Vice President Vance

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody is bringing decades of crime fighting experience to the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud today with Vice President JD Vance. Senator Moody and Vice President Vance discussed the historic progress made against fraud and further legislative reforms needed to protect taxpayers. Senator Moody has been a fierce fighter against fraud while serving in the U.S. Senate, having introduced or cosponsored more than a dozen legislative measures to address fraud since being appointed last year.

“From my time as Florida’s Attorney General to now serving in the United States Senate, I’ve made combatting fraud a major priority. Whether it’s the purposeful targeting of senior’s retirement savings or scheming our taxpayer-funded programs, unaddressed fraud erodes trust in our institutions and hurts the people these programs are meant to serve. I’ve been one of the Senate’s most active members when it comes to tackling fraud, so discussing ways we can address the issue with the Vice President at the White House’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud was not only productive but served as a springboard for future cooperation and successful intergovernmental coordination in shutting down fraud where it may appear. Fraudsters remain extremely cunning, so we must continue a whole of government approach in order to hold bad actors accountable and protect the integrity of our public programs,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

Senator Moody has always been committed to combating fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars. In the past year and a half alone, Senator Moody:

Introduced the SWIPES Act to combat gift card fraud and protect seniors;

Introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act to extend criminal penalties to make intentionally staging an accident with a commercial motor vehicle a federal crime, protecting all drivers on the roads and preventing con artists from driving up the cost of insurance;

Introduced the Stop Child Care Scams Act to fight fraud in federal child care programs;

Introduced the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act to protect seniors from scams and financial fraud;

Introduced the No Aid for Ghost Students Act to stop fraudsters, often called “ghost students,” from using stolen or fake identities to submit FAFSA applications and take federal student aid money;

Joined the Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force, an oversight effort focused on identifying fraud against the federal government, exposing systemic vulnerabilities, recovering taxpayer dollars, and advancing reforms that strengthen accountability;

Introduced the Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act, which increases financial and criminal penalties for health care fraud across the board; and

Cosponsored the SCAM Act, which would increase safety and protect the integrity of American citizenship by ensuring individuals who join terrorist organizations or are naturalized through fraud or deception can have their citizenship revoked; and

Cosponsored the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, comprehensive anti-fraud legislation that includes 16 commonsense measures that would stop bad actors, protect taxpayer dollars and recover stolen funds, providing $240 billion in projected savings.

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Sen. Moran & Colleagues Introduce Comprehensive 340B Reform Legislation

Sens. Moran, Baldwin, Capito, Kaine, Boozman & Hickenlooper today unveiled SUSTAIN 340B Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) – members of the Senate 340B Bipartisan Working Group – today released the following statement after introducing sweeping legislation to reform the 340B program:

"We have received invaluable input from stakeholders throughout our process, and the legislation we are introducing reflects that feedback by aiming to provide greater stability, clarity, and transparency in the 340B program. The SUSTAIN 340B Act makes comprehensive reforms to the program while preserving its critical benefits that support eligible health care providers and the patients they serve throughout the country. By continuing to work together in bipartisan fashion, we are committed to strengthening the 340B program and helping make certain it remains accessible to serve patients and communities for years to come."

The SUSTAIN 340B Act would:

Sense of Congress – Reiterate the original intent of the 340B program and clarify the program provides point-of-purchase discounts, as opposed to rebates.

Contract Pharmacy – Codify covered entities’ use of contract pharmacies while placing reasonable limitations including registration, audits of covered entities with a large number of contract pharmacies, and standardization of contractual requirements between covered entities and contract pharmacies. The bill does not place numeric or geographic limitations on the use of contract pharmacies.

Patient Definition – Establish the definition of an eligible patient under the 340B program and covered services for these patients. It also adds requirements and oversight for 340B patients being dispensed 340B drugs through referrals to non-covered entities.

340B Rebate Model Pilot Program – End any 340B Rebate Model program within one year and require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) transition to the clearinghouse established in the legislation.

Child Sites – Establish that child sites must be wholly owned and integrated with the parent covered entity, disincentivizes child site acquisitions with the sole purpose of expanding 340B footprints, and directs HHS to establish registration and oversight procedures.

Supporting Transparency – Place new annual reporting requirements on covered entities relating to their utilization of the 340B program.

Strengthening Program Integrity – Give HHS authority to establish auditing and reporting procedures for compliance under the 340B program and authorize removal of covered entities who are found in noncompliance and do not implement corrective action plans.

Preventing Duplicate Discounts – Establish a 340B data clearinghouse operated by an independent, third-party entity to prevent diversion and duplicate discounts in the 340B program.

Patient Financial Assistance – Require covered entities to establish a standard, transparent patient financial assistance policy for patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Supporting Equitable Treatment of Covered Participants – Prevent insurers from discriminating against 340B covered entities and their contract pharmacies.

User Fee Program – Establish a user fee program for participation in the 340B program to pay for program administration, including the clearinghouse.

Studies and Reports – Require reports to Congress on hospital debt collection practices, dispensing fees, and data collection system integration.

Additional Resources – Authorize three million dollars annually for five years for conducting oversight and enforcement and nine million dollars annually for four years for bill implementation.

Definitions – Establish definitions for “child site” and “contract pharmacy.”

Items to note:

The 340B program requires that drug manufacturers who participate in Medicaid and Medicare provide certain non-profit health care providers, hospitals and clinics (covered entities) a discount on outpatient drugs. The 340B program enables covered entities to use these savings to provide more comprehensive services to eligible patients and their communities.

The Senate 340B Bipartisan Working Group has existed for more than a decade and is comprised of members who support the 340B program and are committed to sustaining it.

In the 118th Congress, the group sought stakeholder feedback on how to improve the 340B program and released a bipartisan discussion draft to strengthen it. The draft reflected the group’s belief that the program provides a critical benefit to eligible providers by helping them stretch federal resources to deliver health care services to the patients they serve, while also addressing concerns about program ambiguity and the need for greater transparency and accountability.

Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

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Murkowski Announces Release of $41.3 Million for Alaska Native Education Program Grants

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced that the U.S. Department of Education (USED) has obligated $41.3 million in continuation awards through the Alaska Native Education Program (ANEP), providing long-awaited funding for 26 Alaska grantees. The continuation awards were expected to be released on July 1 but were delayed until Senator Murkowski engaged directly with the Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon last week to expedite the awards.

"Last week, I raised this issue with Secretary McMahon, and I’m pleased she agreed to expedite the obligation of the funds for the Alaska Native Education Program grants that Congress appropriated earlier this year,” said Senator Murkowski. “ANEP helps Alaska Native Tribes, Tribal organizations, eligible schools, and other organizations meet the needs of Alaska Native students in wide variety of ways. Grants provide, for example, culturally relevant curriculum, tutoring and other academic supports, indigenous language revitalization, workforce development opportunities, teacher professional development, postsecondary planning and support, and success, early childhood education, and afterschool programming. I will continue to champion this program and work with the Department to ensure this funding is administered more expeditiously going forward."

The $41.3 million in continuation funding will fully support all 2024 and 2025 ANEP grantees. Grantees awarded funding in 2024 will receive the third and final year of their three-year grant period, while 2025 grantees will receive the second year of funding under their three-year awards.

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Murkowski, Duckworth Bipartisan Bill to Protect Children from Dangers of AI Toys Passes Committee

Washington, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to help protect children from the dangers posed by toys that use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots successfully passed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) today. The Senators’ bipartisan Children’s Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026 would help equip families, pediatricians and policymakers with the independent evidence they need to better understand the emerging market of AI chatbot toys—which currently are not subject to any child-safety testing and are trained on content that is not appropriate for kids.

“Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, and we must have a careful understanding of how our young people interact with this groundbreaking technology,” said Murkowski. “AI-enabled toys have the potential to significantly impact the physical, mental, and emotional development of our children. It is imperative we equip policymakers and America’s families with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about these devices, and I am grateful the Commerce Committee agrees.”

“These AI chatbots were never meant to be used by young children, yet they’re being embedded inside toys by the thousands,” said Duckworth. “We’ve already seen far too many instances where AI-enabled toys have imparted information to our children that could put them in immediate danger and have long-term impacts on their development. I’m glad our commonsense bill that mandates the federal government address this emerging issue has passed through committee—now the Senate must pass it with haste, for the sake of our kids’ safety.”

In December 2025, independent testing by U.S. PIRG Education Fund found AI toys discussing sexually explicit content and explaining where to find knives, pills and matches in the home—and instructing children how to light them. There is no current federal safety standard to address the AI inside a toy—only hazards such as choking, lead and flammability. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an inquiry into the effects of AI companion chatbots on children, while the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) informed Congress earlier this year that it lacks explicit authority to evaluate non-physical hazards such as mental or emotional harm.

The Senators’ bipartisan Children’s Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026 would close this gap by:

Requiring the FTC and CPSC to provide Congress with a coordinated, actionable plan to address these emerging AI-enabled toy products; and

Requiring the congressionally chartered National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study into AI-enabled toys examining a wide range of issues, including potential risks to children’s physical, mental, emotional and social safety and well-being.

Full text of the legislation is available on Senator Murkowski’s website.


Murray, Lankford, Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Funding Opportunities for Tribal Nations Neighboring Military Installations

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced new legislation to make Tribal governments eligible to apply for grants under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP). Currently, Tribal governments are ineligible to apply for funding under DCIP’s grant authority, despite their role in supporting military installations and defense communities nationwide.

“From Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Fairchild Air Force Base and everywhere in between Tribal Nations—like Yakama, Suquamish, and many more—do critical work to support military installations in Washington state and throughout the country,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why this legislation is an important step to expand eligibility to DCIP grants. Tribes play a key role in our military readiness—they should be eligible for these funds just like any other community would be.”

“Oklahoma is home to 39 Tribal Nations, and many of them live and work alongside the men and women who serve at our military installations. When a Tribe is doing work that benefits a military base or post, whether that is roads, utilities, or emergency response, the Tribe should have the same opportunity to apply for federal infrastructure grants as any other local government. This bill is a simple, common-sense fix that recognizes the role Tribes already play in our military readiness,” said Senator Lankford.

Historically, DCIP provides grants to state and local governments for off-base infrastructure that supports military installations. These investments strengthen military readiness and benefit servicemembers and their families by improving transportation, schools, utilities, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure.

Tribal Nations who neighbor military bases are often already doing this work to support critical infrastructure projects that support military communities. This bill would amend the current language to include Tribal governments as eligible, “state and local,” entities to apply for DCIP grants. Reps. Emily Randall (D-WA-06) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) lead companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The full bill text is available HERE.

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Senator Murray Makes it Clear: A Vote for Todd Blanche is A Vote to Ban Abortion in All Fifty States

Murray: “Mr. Blanche told us all exactly what he plans to do if Senators confirm him. His goal was to make the Dobbs decision ‘permanent in every single state.’ Every. Single. State.”

Murray: “This isn’t just a confirmation vote anymore—it’s a roll-call vote on which Senators endorse banning abortion in all 50 states from the federal level. I’m voting NO.”

ICYMI: At Hearing with Acting AG Blanche, Senator Murray Blasts Outrageous Creation of $1.8 Billion MAGA Slush Fund, Presses for Apology to Epstein Victims

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks***

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the vote to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Murray condemned Blanche for his disqualifying track record and outright corruption. Murray also sounded the alarm on Blanche’s recent comments made during a private call where Blanche says he will work to make the Dobbs decision “permanent in every single state.”

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“M. President, I was never going to come out here and support Todd Blanche for a long list of reasons. I believe he is one of the most corrupt Justice Department officials in our country’s history, for one. He was Trump’s former personal lawyer—and it seems that he never quit!

“The only difference now is that the taxpayers are signing his checks instead of Trump. He was the one who negotiated a $1.8 billion slush fund to pay off violent insurrectionists, and who cut a backroom deal to give the President and his entire corrupt family immunity from IRS investigations.

“Not to forget, Todd Blanche is the guy who botched the Epstein files so badly that survivors had their names and faces exposed, while the names of alleged abusers were hidden. This is a man, who wouldn’t meet with survivors until Senators put him under a tremendous amount of public pressure. And when the meeting eventually got on the books, survivors made it crystal clear that Blanche didn’t listen to them. He was more interested in checking a box than hearing their stories or bringing them justice.

“All of that is of course absolutely unacceptable and disqualifying. But I come here today to sound the alarm on some of the most disturbing comments I have ever heard from our nation’s top law enforcement official. M. President, I guess Todd Blanche thought no one was listening.

“Because on a private call with anti-abortion activists Mr. Blanche told us all exactly what he plans to do if Senators confirm him.

“His goal was to make the Dobbs decision ‘permanent in every single state.’ Every. Single. State. Not just Texas or Idaho. He wants to ban abortion in Washington state. California. New York. In every state.

“He told them, ‘We will have victory, and victory will be soon, and it will be permanent.’ Victory over what, exactly? Victory over women who just want to make their own health care decisions? Victory over patients in states where abortion is legal?

“Where voters have said, over and over, at the ballot box: keep your hands off our rights.

“Now, a DOJ spokesperson tried to clean up Blanche’s words. Saying he was only focused on restricting access to medication abortion in all 50 states—as if that’s somehow better.

“Well, I’m here to say I believe the tape. I believe Todd Blanche’s own words.

“So let’s be crystal clear about what this vote is. A vote to confirm Todd Blanche is a vote to endorse his fight to ban abortion in all fifty states. Whatever happened to this is states’ decision? So every Republican who votes yes is voting for exactly that—his words, not mine. And any Republican who votes to confirm him will own that. In every state. In every election.

“So, M. President, this isn’t just a confirmation vote anymore—it’s a roll-call vote on which Senators endorse banning abortion in all 50 states from the federal level. I’m voting no.”

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Sen. Ossoff Statement on CDC Director Confirmation Vote

“I congratulate Dr. Schwartz on her Senate confirmation and sincerely hope her tenure at CDC will be a success for the Nation, the State of Georgia, and the CDC.

“The CDC is currently under political attack by this Administration, which has gutted and demoralized the CDC workforce and disbanded critical CDC offices focused on maternal health and disease monitoring.

“Secretary Kennedy’s reckless and sustained attack on the CDC puts Americans’ health at risk. Against this disturbing backdrop, after speaking with Dr. Schwartz, I lacked sufficient confidence in her independence. Accordingly, I voted against her confirmation.

“I nevertheless stand ready to work with Dr. Schwartz to support the CDC, its vital mission, and the CDC’s workforce.”

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Padilla Leads Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Administration Stop Illegal Voter Roll Purges Before Election Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With midterm elections now 89 days away, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections, today led 27 of his Senate colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) “quiet period” that prohibits large-scale voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Trump Administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts.

In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, the Senators reminded the Trump Administration to adhere to the law and refrain from supporting, assisting, or coercing states into conducting mass voter purges prior to the November midterm elections. The Trump Administration has demanded voter information from all 50 states, losing 20 lawsuits and counting in the process, and a separate court has barred it from misusing federal databases in illegal attempts to remove voters from state voter rolls. In July, President Trump and Secretary Mullin escalated these attacks as part of their ongoing efforts to force states to purge voters ahead of the November general election in a presidential speech and subsequent DHS press conference. The letter copies the chief election officers for all 50 states.

“We are writing to remind you that any efforts directing states to conduct mass voter purges, including by using the deeply flawed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to purge voter rolls, would violate the 90 day ‘quiet period’ mandated by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA),” wrote the Senators. “Under the NVRA, election officials are supposed to complete any program for ‘systematically’ removing ineligible voters 90 days before Election Day. This statutory protection was included to protect eligible voters who may be (and in many cases have been) removed as part of state voter list maintenance activities.”

The Senators warned that federal courts have ruled against attempted voter purges that fail to comply with the NVRA’s “quiet period” by attempting mass voter purges.

“In various lawsuits, federal courts have ruled against states that attempted systemwide voter list removals during the ‘quiet period,’ including those made under the pretext of removing noncitizen voters,” continued the Senators. “Outside the 90-day quiet period, voter list maintenance is an important function, but noncitizen voting remains extremely rare. Federal law addresses these incidents through criminal penalties, including financial penalties and imprisonment.”

The Senators reiterated that use of the DHS’ modified SAVE program, already blocked by federal courts for bulk voter list analysis purposes, would be considered illegal activity in the next 90 days, and condemned Mullin’s continued push to advance the program. They also urged the DOJ abandon any efforts to obtain state voter rolls, highlighting the agency has lost every federal court case so far.

“We must re-emphasize that current use of the SAVE program for list maintenance is illegal, and efforts to coerce states to conduct mass voter purges during the ‘quiet period’ are also illegal under the NVRA, despite DOJ arguments to the contrary in recent court filings,” wrote the Senators. “The DOJ should also drop its litigation to obtain state voter rolls and its continued threats to prosecute election officials. As you know, DOJ has lost every federal case seeking to obtain states’ unredacted voter lists so far. We remain deeply opposed to the waste of taxpayer funds and attacks on state election officials involved with DOJ’s continued attempts to compel states to hand over unredacted voter rolls.”

The Senators requested the agencies provide confirmation that they will comply with the NVRA by August 7 to prevent any voter suppression prior to Election Day.

In addition to Padilla, the letter was signed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee and California’s former Secretary of State and chief election officer, Padilla has championed election security and voting rights. Padilla joined Schumer in launching the first-ever Senate Election Observer Program to protect the 2026 midterms and maintain election integrity nationwide. The Task Force will continue meeting over the coming months to ensure that every American has fair access to the ballot box this November. Padilla also convened a Rules Committee Democrats and Senate Democrats’ Election Protection Task Force spotlight forum focused on state and local responses to combat efforts by the Trump Administration to undermine election administration in the upcoming midterm elections. Additionally, Padilla and his Senate colleagues demanded answers from Trump Administration officials about their lack of election security preparation, insufficient coordination with Congress and election officials, and unsupported public claims about voting system vulnerabilities.

Full letter is available here and below:

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche and Secretary Mullin:

The 2026 general election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, less than 90 days away. We are writing to remind you that any efforts directing states to conduct mass voter purges, including by using the deeply flawed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to purge voter rolls, would violate the 90-day “quiet period” mandated by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).

This long-standing prohibition includes providing states with any incomplete and unverifiable voter roll analysis conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SAVE program, the use of which has also been enjoined by a D.C. federal district court. Relatedly, in light of this prohibition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should drop its ongoing litigation to compel states to provide access to their voter registration lists and acquiesce to unlawful federal list maintenance. While we have previously expressed our concern about these tactics, we remind you of the settled law protecting voters in the lead up to an election and urge you to cease these efforts immediately.

Under the NVRA, election officials are required to complete any systematic removal of ineligible voters 90 days before Election Day. This statutory protection was included to protect eligible voters who may be — and in many cases have been —erroneously removed as part of state voter list maintenance activities. In various lawsuits, federal courts have ruled against states that attempted systemwide voter list removals during the “quiet period,” including those made under the pretext of removing noncitizen voters. Outside the 90-day quiet period, voter list maintenance is an important function, but noncitizen voting remains extremely rare. Federal law addresses these incidents through criminal penalties, including financial penalties and imprisonment.

Over the last year, the demonstrated inaccuracies of DHS’s modified SAVE program have been proven to result in the removal of eligible voters from the voter rolls prior to the “quiet period.” On June 22, 2026, following several months of litigation in League of Women Voters v. Department of Homeland Security, a D.C. federal district court set aside and vacated the 2025 modified SAVE program, finding it was “contrary to law, arbitrary and capricious, in excess of statutory authority, and without observance of procedure required by law.” The court ordered DHS to undo the newly established bulk upload feature and dismantle its connection to sensitive Social Security Administration data. Given this ruling, Secretary Mullin’s continued promotion of the SAVE program for voter list maintenance purposes during a July 17, 2026, press conference was inappropriate, as were his unsupported claims that multiple states have significant noncitizen voter registrations. Even more alarmingly, DHS is attempting to condition Homeland Security Grant Program funds that protect Americans from disasters and terrorist attacks on use of the SAVE program. Therefore, we must re-emphasize that current use of the SAVE program for list maintenance is illegal, and efforts to coerce states to conduct mass voter purges during the “quiet period” are also illegal under the NVRA, despite DOJ arguments to the contrary in recent court filings.

The DOJ should also drop its litigation to obtain state voter rolls and its continued threats to prosecute election officials. As you know, DOJ has lost every federal case seeking to obtain states’ unredacted voter lists so far. We remain deeply opposed to the waste of taxpayer funds and attacks on state election officials involved with DOJ’s continued attempts to compel states to hand over unredacted voter rolls. The Trump Administration has done nothing to address concerns that this is all in service of an effort to create a nationwide voter file to be shared across the Executive Branch — and possibly with other unauthorized, partisan actors. At an absolute minimum, DOJ must abstain from any unlawful attempts to pressure states into conducting large-scale voter purges during the 90-day “quiet period.”

Please confirm your agencies will comply with the NVRA, and any relevant court orders, no later than August 7, 2026. Any continued actions that may directly or indirectly coerce or assist states in conducting sweeping voter purges that violate federal law and infringe on Americans’ right to vote are unacceptable.

Sincerely,

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WATCH: Padilla Condemns Trump Administration’s Cruel Mass Deportation Agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, called out the Trump Administration’s continued abuses of power through the carrying out of their violent mass deportation agenda and inhumane treatment of detained immigrants. Padilla highlighted how U.S. citizens and noncitizens alike are being shot and killed by federal immigration enforcement officers and demanded accountability from the Trump Administration.

In his remarks, Padilla raised concerns over those who have been terrorized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, including those who have died during violent encounters with federal agents. He detailed the story of Joan Sebastián Guerrero, an immigrant from Columbia who had been authorized to work in the United States, who was tragically killed by an ICE officer last month. Padilla criticized the Trump Administration’s refusal to take accountability and pushed for stronger oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as they increase efforts to quickly deploy 12,000 new ICE officers across communities without proper vetting.

“First of all, Joan Sebastián Guerrero’s daughter should still have her father. Second, and this is publicly reported, the man who took his life should never have been given a badge and a gun,” said Senator Padilla. “It’s emblematic of a much larger failure within the Department of Homeland Security, as ICE has rushed this last year, to put as many officers as they could into communities as quickly as possible. Something pretty hypocritical, by the way, from an Administration calling for the re-vetting of previously vetted refugees and other immigrants.”

Padilla also highlighted the unacceptable conditions in immigration detention centers, including lack of access to basic needs such as clean water, food, and medical care. Despite court orders to improve these facilities and a record number of deaths in ICE custody, Padilla emphasized how the Administration has doubled down on their anti-immigrant agenda by increasing detention facilities across the country and intensifying their detention and deportation efforts.

“ICE arrested 51,000 people in the month of July, the largest in a single month in DHS history. And again, the vast majority are not dangerous, violent criminals. And this Administration has the audacity to ignore court orders to provide basic care and dignity to the people that it’s cramming into these detention facilities,” said Senator Padilla. “ICE is now expanding detention facilities while continuing to carry out these mass enforcement operations across the country. They’re failing the humanity test. They’re being ordered by federal courts to do the job right. They’re doubling down and growing their operation.”

Padilla renewed his calls for stronger oversight of federal immigration enforcement agents, accountability for the killings and deaths resulting from the Trump Administration’s out of control agenda, and safeguards over immigrant communities across the country. Padilla underscored the importance of obtaining justice for those killed because of the Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda, including Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Ruben Ray Martinez, Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Joan Sebastian Guerrero. He reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for immigrant communities facing family separation, detention abuses, and threats to due process and human dignity.

“Joan Sebastian Guerrero was one of those people, as there are thousands of others living in fear today. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters. They’re our friends, they’re our co-workers and neighbors, all human beings deserving of basic dignity and humanity,” concluded Senator Padilla. “We should never accept an America where federal agents hide their faces, abuse their authority, or take life without oversight and accountability. It’s a choice, folks, that we’re making. What kind of a country are we working towards? It’s a choice that this Administration and congressional Republicans have made of what we’re seeing on the streets. America deserves better.”

Padilla has been an outspoken leader against the harsh and cruel operations of ICE and CBP under the second Trump Administration. In June, Padilla and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sounded the alarm over the significant increase in deaths among detainees in ICE custody since January 2025, expressing concern over the announcement of the 50th reported death in ICE custody under the Trump Administration. Padilla also condemned Republicans’ partisan bill to provide ICE and CBP with an extra $70 billion without necessary reforms. Padilla also forced a vote on his amendment to the budget reconciliation bill that would require ICE agents to wear body cameras while on duty. Earlier this year, Padilla demanded answers from the Trump Administration on their decision to pull thousands of federal law enforcement agents away from their work protecting communities from dangerous criminals and reassign them to arrest, detain, and indiscriminately deport noncitizens without criminal records.

Video of Padilla’s remarks is available here.

Transcript of Padilla’s remarks is available below:

Mr. President, colleagues, there’s a lot going on in the country right now. Actually, a lot going on around the world. And I rise today not to address specifically the cost-of-living challenges that so many working families are struggling with. That’s certainly a topic of news these days, rightfully so. Not here to focus on what families of deployed service members must be feeling right now. Although that is certainly worthy of our thoughts and consideration and empathy, particularly the family members and the loved ones of the 18 service members that have lost their lives in this unauthorized war with Iran that the President has brought us into. I want to focus on something that about a year ago was really dominating the evening news and a lot of our social media feeds: immigration. And specifically, this Administration’s cruel, often violent tactics, as part of their mass deportation and, deportation agenda. Families are still being torn apart. Tens of thousands of immigrants currently being detained in detention centers around the country.

Loved ones of those killed by federal agents in broad daylight are also still hurting, including the family of Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 25-year-old father, an immigrant from Colombia, who had work authorization. He was driving in his car last month when a federal agent opened fire, shooting him in the head, and killing him. I hope you remember the story. It wasn’t that long ago. If you followed the story, you’ll know that his partner and his three-year-old daughter, still dressed in her Bluey pajamas that morning, were there at the scene because it was so close to their home. And according to witnesses, Joan’s last words were, “I tried to stop.” I raise this because, whenever there’s a tragedy like this that happens under this Administration, we quickly hear from department officials, from the White House, and MAGA supporters that all these victims had to do were follow instructions as if it was their fault that they’re being shot and, in some instances, killed. Well, that’s exactly what Joan was attempting to do. Yet he was killed anyway. Now I know we don’t have all the details of exactly how this tragedy unfolded. In large part, we don’t have all the details because some people say, “Well, just let’s go to the video. Let’s go to the body cam footage and see exactly what happened.” Despite receiving billions and billions of taxpayer dollars, which included funding for body cameras, these officers weren’t wearing any, but there are a couple things that we know for certain.

First of all, Joan Sebastian Guerrero’s daughter should still have her father. Second, and this is publicly reported, the man who took his life should never have been given a badge and a gun, and that’s not just coming from me. That’s coming from Tom Homan. That’s right, President Trump’s quote border czar, who recently said in a TV interview that I don’t think he should have ever cleared vetting. From what we’ve learned, this is a man who verbally, emotionally, and physically abused not just one, but two ex-wives. And once threw his 13-year-old daughter through a glass coffee table. So, Mr. Homan’s absolutely right when he says that this man’s hiring was a failure of the agency’s vetting process. But it’s emblematic of a much larger failure within the Department of Homeland Security, as ICE has rushed this last year, to put as many officers as they could into communities as quickly as possible. Something pretty hypocritical, by the way, from an Administration calling for the re-vetting of previously vetted refugees and other immigrants.

But I digress. In less than a year, ICE has hired more than 12,000 officers. A 120% increase in staffing. Huge increase in a small amount of time. In part, they were so eager to hire up that they were offering $50,000 bonuses for people who signed on to the agency. Along the way, they also lowered recruitment standards to try to hire as many people as possible, and they shortened training. Shortened training for law enforcement officers before deploying them into the streets. Anybody with history and experience with state and local law enforcement knows what happens when you do this. It’s it’s it’s a bad combination, a recipe for disaster when you hire too quickly, shorten training, and lower recruitment standards. And now the federal government is seeing the consequences of those bad decisions.

How many more unqualified individuals, who have not been sufficiently vetted or trained, are now in our communities? Not just armed, but armed and dressed as if they’re going to war? That’s not the job they’re doing. Along the way, violating constitutional rights, using excessive force, risking innocent lives, and worst of all, facing no accountability. Colleagues, accountability isn’t an inconvenience for law enforcement. It’s imperative in a society where we entrust law enforcement officers with the power to take lives, our liberty, or our property – when warranted.

Accountability is what gives law enforcement the legitimacy in a democracy. But that’s not what’s going on today. Just a couple weeks ago, it was reported that the FBI will no longer investigate confrontations with immigration enforcement agencies. Instead, Homeland Security will do the investigating to determine whether officers or agents have broken the law. If true, how’s that supposed to inspire confidence or legitimacy? After all, it’s been six months since the killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. And still nobody’s been held accountable for those deaths. Let me repeat their names: Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Ruben Ray Martinez, Silverio Villegas González, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Joan Sebastian Guerrero. God, I pray there’s not more to come. How many more need to die before this Administration recognizes, acknowledges, and admits that something is deeply wrong?

Another important point I want to make today is that these failures don’t end on the streets in our communities. They’re also happening inside the walls of detention facilities, where, as of yesterday, at least 54 people have died since the beginning of this Administration. The year 2025 was a record year – not a good record – the most deaths in ICE custody in the calendar year, and we’re on track to exceed that in 2026. At this moment, more than 67,000 people are being held in overcrowded and understaffed facilities. Where many are denied access to healthy food, clean water, even basic medical care. Forget about life-saving care for people with extreme conditions. Folks that I’ve seen and talked to personally suffering from injuries they sustained when being taken into custody because of the cruelty and the violence of how it’s being done. And reporting just this morning from the Associated Press shows us that more than 50 parents and spouses of active duty service members have been detained since the beginning of the second Trump Administration, and at least six have been deported. Think about that. Their sons and daughters, husbands and wives are willing to put their lives on the line for this country during wartime, no less. And the Trump Administration is rewarding their service by detaining and deporting their family members.

Yet, despite all this, Donald Trump and those around him keep repeating the lie that they’re only going after the worst of the worst. It’s not true. Even federal courts have found that the conditions in these detention facilities, by the way, are unacceptable. A federal district court judge in California just ordered improvements to basic needs like access to clean water, nutritious food, and medical and disability care in the Adelanto ICE processing center. Basic standards for humanity that are both federal law and international law. In February, a similar order to provide access to medical care was issued regarding the largest detention center in California, the one located in California City. But just last week, we learned from a neutral court-appointed monitor that ICE is failing to comply with that order. This Administration just doesn’t care. Despite these deaths, despite these conditions, and despite the enormous human toll, the Administration is actually doubling down.

ICE arrested 51,000 people in the month of July, the largest in a single month in DHS history. And again, the vast majority are not dangerous, violent criminals. So we have a historic number of arrests, coupled with a historic number of deaths in ICE custody. And this Administration has the audacity to ignore court orders to provide basic care and dignity to the people that it’s cramming into these detention facilities. And on top of all that, the Republican majority in this Congress has given ICE and Border Patrol more than $150 billion, with no accountability, no safeguards required. So they don’t even have to come back to Congress to justify their funding requests and answer questions for the next three years. ICE is now expanding detention facilities while continuing to carry out these mass enforcement operations across the country. They’re failing. They’re failing the humanity test. They’re being ordered by federal courts to do the job right. They’re doubling down and growing their operation.

And we now know that over 300,000 Haitian immigrants are now facing arrest and deportation after the Trump Administration has ripped away their temporary protected status. Colleagues, how many people need to die at the hands of ill-trained, unqualified, and unaccountable federal agents and inside inhumane detention centers before we, as the Congress, at least the Senate, say enough? Before we call for accountability and demand common sense reforms. What’s it going to take? Because our proposals are out there, like my VISIBLE Act, which says immigration enforcement officials have to have very clear, very visible identification. Something that’s standard for law enforcement agencies nationwide. If a group of masked individuals in unmarked cars runs you off the road, jumps out of their cars with guns drawn, and starts screaming in your face without any way to easily and quickly know that they’re federal agents, of course somebody’s going to panic.

We just saw that exact scenario play out in Houston a few weeks ago. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was driving in his van on his way to work when two unmarked cars, without sirens or lights, began chasing him. Eventually, blocking his car on a small side street. As he was trying to turn around, they shot him and killed him. Without any clear identification, how could Lorenzo know that these cars chasing him belonged to law enforcement? As one expert reviewing the footage of this chase from public cameras said, “It looks more like a carjacking attempt than it is a police stop.” And we wonder why some people panic. That’s exactly why we need the basic standards for federal law enforcement, like those called for in Senator Booker’s Federal Law Enforcement Standards and Accountability Act, and for the protection of agents and civilians alike, law enforcement needs to have the body cameras, and to have them turned on, which the FOCUS Act would require.

These are the kinds of basic safeguards that Democrats have been proposing over and over again, but the Administration and the Republican majority doesn’t want to act on it. Now we have a lot of policy debates here in Congress, but too often we lose sight of the people behind the headlines and the people behind the statistics that are impacted by these policies. Joan Sebastian Guerrero was one of those people, as there are thousands of others living in fear today. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters. They’re our friends, there are our co-workers and neighbors, all human beings deserving of basic dignity and humanity. Last month, Joan Sebastian Guerrero got into his car, expecting just a normal, regular day. And now his daughter will grow up in a world without him in it. And she carries his memory with her for the rest of her life. Not only of him, but how he was taken from her. She’ll remember that forever. And colleagues, I implore that we remember as well, and let’s learn from it and do everything possible to keep it from happening again. Because we are a nation of laws that need to be enforced, but a nation of laws includes being a nation of due process, of accountability, and above all, human dignity. And we should never accept an America where federal agents hide their faces, abuse their authority, or take life without oversight and accountability. It’s a choice, folks, that we’re making. What kind of a country are we working towards? It’s a choice that this Administration and congressional Republicans have made of what we’re seeing on the streets. America deserves better. America deserves better. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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Reed & Hawley Roll Out Bipartisan Bill to Improve Bus Driver Safety

WASHINGTON, DC – Everyone deserves a safe workplace. But since 2023, transit operators have experienced a 36 percent increase in assaults from passengers, according to data from the National Transit Database.

Buses are a public transportation lifeline for the communities they serve. But bus drivers are highly vulnerable because they are public-facing employees operating alone behind the wheel – making them the lone enforcer of transit regulations and fare collection while also keeping their eyes on the road and staying on schedule.

The national uptick in aggression toward bus drivers is a problem for transit systems across the country. It has created a hostile environment for drivers and makes it more challenging for them to efficiently do their job.

In an effort to deter crime, protect bus operators, and promote safe and efficient public transportation systems, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) today introduced the Bus Operator Safety and Security Act.

This bipartisan bill would require all newly purchased fixed route buses that are 30 feet or longer and paid for with federal funds to be equipped with safety barriers that fully enclose a driver’s workstation, preventing unwanted entry while maintaining clear lines of sight for drivers. The legislation specifies that barriers must reach from the floor to the ceiling of the bus, preventing accidents involving persons, fluids, or objects.

Similar to how cab drivers have a protective barrier, the bill would ensure public bus drivers would be shielded from physical assault by passengers. In addition to preventing physical assaults, driver protection barriers also serve as a psychological deterrent to verbal abuse, intimidation, and threats from potential aggressors.

The cost of implementing driver protection barriers is minimal when compared to the benefits it provides: enhanced safety; less stress and distracted driving; and lowered absenteeism by drivers. Investing in this technology has demonstrated long-term benefits, including reducing the cost of lost work hours, medical bills, and lawsuits due to driver attacks.

“Bus drivers do critical work under challenging circumstances and abuse against them should never be tolerated. These drivers are on the frontlines of helping people safely get where they need to go and we need to ensure their safety along with the safety and reliability of our transit system. One assault is one too many and this bipartisan bill prioritizes safety. Increasing security for bus operators is a commonsense solution that must be paired with other actions, like prosecuting driver assault cases to the fullest extent of the law and adding onboard cameras, de-escalation training, and increasing support for public transportation systems across the nation,” said Senator Reed. “Improving safety on our bus systems is essential to increasing ridership. This bipartisan bill will help prevent assaults, keep drivers safe, and help municipalities save money in the long run.”

“All working Americans deserve a safe workplace. Transportation workers should never fear for their lives at work. The Bus Operator Safety and Security Act will combat the uptick in violence on America’s transportation workers,” said Senator Hawley.

The Bus Operator Safety and Security Act would update Section 5329 of Title 49 of the United States Code to ensure that, beginning two years after enactment, the operator workstation of any new fixed route bus 30 feet or longer purchased with federal funds will be equipped with a barrier. These barriers are designed to:

Fully enclose the workstation and prevent unwanted entry of persons, fluids, or objects;

Reach from the bus floor to the ceiling; and

Maintain clear lines of sight for the operator to the exterior of the bus.

Companion legislation (H.R.6635) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and is led by Congressmen Shomari C. Figures (D-AL-02) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02).

The Reed-Hawley bill is endorsed by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), ATU Local 618, the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO (TTD), the SMART Transportation Division, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).

“Providing a safe environment for our employees to perform their jobs is a top priority for us at RIPTA. We applaud Senator Reed’s leadership and thank him for his continued support of public transportation,” said Christopher Durand, Chief Executive Officer of RIPTA.

“Our RIPTA bus operators play an essential role in safely moving the people of the Providence area who rely on public transit every day. By introducing the Bus Operator Safety and Security Act, Senator Jack Reed shows he understands transit workers deserve to feel safe when they go to work. This legislation is straightforward. It gives operators a secure workstation and the basic protection any worker should have. We thank Senator Reed for his leadership,” said Walter Melillo, President/Business Agent of ATU Local 618-Providence, RI, representing RIPTA transit workers.

“Every day, at least 42 transit workers are assaulted on U.S. transit systems. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear of a transit worker being shot, stabbed, spit on, or verbally abused. By investing in transit security measures, including an enclosed driver workstation, we are better protecting our riders, communities, and transit workers. Operator safety is about public safety. This piece of legislation is a proactive step toward building public transit systems where safety and service go hand in hand. We thank Senator Jack Reed for introducing the Bus Operator Safety and Security Act to make the workplace safer for our members and riders,” said John Costa, International President of the Amalgamated Transit Union, the largest union representing transit workers in North America.


Stumping for RI Blizzard Relief, Reed Urges Bipartisan Lawmakers to Help Make Federal Disaster Aid for States Merit-based Again

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined several of his colleagues on Tuesday for a bipartisan roundtable discussion looking at extreme weather, natural disasters, and federal disaster relief efforts.

Reed joined U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), John Curtis (R-UT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), for a wide-ranging conversation about the rising costs of extreme weather and federal aid and the complex challenges that different regions are facing. The lawmakers discussed insurance, disaster recovery aid, and energy costs and the role that climate change plays in exacerbating these impacts and challenges.

During the roundtable, Senator Reed raised the issue of President Trump overruling his own agencies and unfairly denying federal disaster aid to Rhode Island and other states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election.

Reed highlighted the danger to all fifty states if disaster aid is suddenly politicized and changed from a system that provides merit-based assistance based on fact to one that financially rewards the allies of whoever is in the Oval Office and punishes the president’s perceived opponents by denying them needed, documented, merit-based aid.

Reed urged bipartisan support for a bill he recently introduced, the Disaster Relief Fairness Act (S.5018), which would prevent Donald Trump from maliciously denying disaster assistance to states and communities when they have met the criteria to qualify.

Reed stated: “Rhode Islanders experienced a historic natural disaster in February, when the state was struck by a record-breaking blizzard. The storm hit Rhode Island with the intensity of a Category 2 hurricane, with over three feet of snow in a 24-hour period -- the highest one-day snowfall on record for Rhode Island. FEMA assessed over $19 million in damages, nine times the threshold required for Rhode Island to receive a major disaster declaration.”

Under any other administration, this disaster declaration would have been approved on the merits. Yet, last month, with no explanation the Trump Administration denied Rhode Island’s request. The same day, President Trump denied three other blue states, yet boasted about delivering FEMA assistance for six red states.

Politico found that Trump has approved nearly 90 percent of disaster requests from red states and just 23 percent of disaster requests for blue states.

Recognizing that President Trump cannot be trusted with these decisions, Reed urged his colleagues to support the Disaster Relief Fairness Act to approve all disasters that occur in President Trump’s term that meet FEMA’s criteria for disaster assistance.

“I hope my colleagues will consider supporting that legislation. I think we can all agree that it’s never good to have a President who makes decisions --especially with something as critical as disaster aid -- based on who the state voted for in the last election,” stated Reed.

During the roundtable, the U.S. Senators heard from a panel of experts, including:

Adam Smith, who was at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for over 20 years until May 2025, when he was fired by President Trump. He led the Billion Dollar Disaster Database that NOAA maintained from 1980-2025. Mr. Smith is currently the Senior Climate Impacts Scientist at Climate Central.

Michael Gaughan, who has been with Vermont Bond Bank since 2018. Vermont Bond Bank, founded in 1970, was the first Bond Bank in the country. In 2023, VT Bond Bank launched the Municipal Climate Recovery Fund (MCRF), the first of its kind. This fund was designed to provide municipal budgetary relief in the flood recovery for small rural towns by lowering the costs of borrowing to bridge Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement or pay for other unexpected disaster recovery costs.

Chief Bob Roper, Senior Wildfire Advisor to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, who joined the meeting virtually.

In February, Rhode Island was struck by a record-breaking blizzard that dumped 37.9 inches of snow in a 24-hour period and the state experienced wind gusts of 74 miles per hour. The winter storm created immense challenges for local businesses, which faced prolonged closures due to storm-related damage and disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services and resulted in over $19.3 million worth of confirmed damage.

After examining the evidence, high-ranking officials from regional offices of FEMA and NOAA agreed that Rhode Island and other blue states impacted by the storm met the necessary thresholds for receiving federal relief due to the historic natural disasters that impacted their states. However, President Trump ignored their findings and rejected the federal request for a disaster declaration anyway -- a move that experts say has no modern precedent.

“I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure Rhode Island, and every other state is treated fairly. It is in the best interest of every member of Congress to act in good faith, lest their states find themselves in a similar situation going forward. While occupants of the Oval Office change, America’s core values and inherent sense of fairness remains steadfast. Congress should act in the taxpayer’s interest and help states who’ve been hit by a major, record-breaking disaster.”


Ricketts Introduces Legislation to Establish National Violent Offender Registry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Karly Rain Wood Act. This bill would establish a national violent offender registry, providing vital information to law enforcement and the public.

Karly Rain Wood was a 20-year-old woman who was shot and killed at a friend’s birthday party in Omaha in 2022. Karly’s murderer was a repeat offender who had been arrested four times before being convicted of Karly’s murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2024. Two others were charged in the mass shooting that took Karly’s life and injured seven others. All had prior criminal records.

Senator Ricketts was joined by Senator Fischer (R-NE) in introducing this bill.

“Repeat violent offenders are freely roaming our streets without warning,” said Sen. Ricketts.“Americans deserve to know these criminals are living in their communities. A national violent offender registry is not only useful but also necessary to keep the public informed and update law enforcement of their whereabouts. Karly Rain was murdered by a repeat violent offender. Her death was a tragedy. That’s why I introduced this legislation in honor of Karly and to make our communities safer.”

“Communities deserve to know about the potential danger that could be around the corner, and we need to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like Karly Rain Wood’s death. I thank Senator Ricketts for his leadership on this important legislation to create a nationwide system to identify repeat violent offenders in our communities,” said Sen. Fischer.

Several states have implemented databases to track individuals convicted of violent offenses, but these vary based on jurisdiction. The national violent offender registry would mirror the national sex offender registry. This national database would help keep communities safe by providing important information to law enforcement and the public across state and local jurisdictions.

The Karly Rain Wood Act would require:

The Department of Justice to create a national database system to track repeat violent offenders.

A repeat offender be defined as an individual who has received final conviction of not fewer than two qualifying offenses, or one qualifying offense and one serious drug offense.

Registration of offender to be completed before the sentence of imprisonment is complete, or within three days of sentence if no imprisonment.

Qualifying offenders appear in court in person every 90 days to update database.

In-person registration requirement be completed within three days if offender moves jurisdictions.

Click here for bill text.

Background:


Ricketts Leads Delegation Letter in Support of Nebraska Air National Guard Hosting KC-46s

On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force requesting that the Nebraska Air National Guard’s (ANG) 155th Air Refueling Wing at Lincoln Municipal Airport be selected to host the KC-46 aircraft. This letter was signed by the Nebraska congressional delegation.

“The 155th Air Refueling Wing is uniquely positioned to excel in all of these areas through its central U.S. location, unmatched infrastructure capacity, proven recruiting success, and rapidly expanding operational partnerships,” the delegation wrote. “The 155th Air Refueling Wing is mission-ready today and ideally positioned for tomorrow. As a Congressional delegation, we are confident that Lincoln is an ideal candidate for the KC-46A. We look forward to working closely with you and your team as you consider how Nebraska can play a crucial role in the Air Force’s new era of aerial refueling.”

In May, the Secretary of the Air Force approved the enterprise definition and basing criteria for the ANG KC-46A Main Operating Base (MOB) 9. The ANG has 14 KC-135 locations, including Lincoln, operating aging aircraft. One of these locations will be selected to base 8 KC-46A aircraft.

The letter was signed by Senators Ricketts and Fischer and Representatives Mike Flood, Don Bacon, and Adrian Smith.

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

Dear Secretary Meink,

As the Air Force considers sites for the Air National Guard (ANG) KC-46A Main Operating Base (MOB) 9, we respectfully request your full consideration of the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing at Lincoln Municipal Airport as a top candidate to fulfill basing criteria.

The May 2026 approval of the enterprise definition and criteria emphasizes the operational, manpower, and capacity requirements to support future KC-46 missions. The 155th Air Refueling Wing is uniquely positioned to excel in all of these areas through its central U.S. location, unmatched infrastructure capacity, proven recruiting success, and rapidly expanding operational partnerships.

The 155th Air Refueling Wing has demonstrated success operating the KC-135R Stratotanker since 1993, having participated in several major combat missions, including Operations Allied Force, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom. Located in the heart of the United States, the Lincoln Air National Guard Base ensures access to every geographic combatant command within a single flight. Additionally, Lincoln boasts significant infrastructure capacity, with one of the longest runways in the Air National Guard at 12,901 feet by 150 feet, and a 6,400 feet by 1,700 feet parking apron on the west side of the flightline. Not only is the entire runway being reconstructed with completion expected by fall 2027, but a land use feasibility study has also been completed for an 80-acre expansion.

In terms of personnel, the Nebraska Air National Guard has an end strength of 104.74%, ranking fifth in the nation. Nebraska has long demonstrated proven recruiting success, including through its recent expansion of the 170th Group and Critical Care Air Transport Team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). This partnership with UNMC, which serves as one of two Regional Disaster Health Response System sites in the United States, creates natural synergy with the KC-46 Aeromedical Evacuation mission.

Nebraska’s strategic relationships also span the globe. In recent years, the Nebraska National Guard has expanded its partnerships through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program to four countries: Czechia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Marshall Islands. This has created robust access in three geographic combatant commands. These partnerships also provide unmatched opportunities to improve cooperation with our allies and partners, strengthening the Air Force’s operational readiness.

The 155th Air Refueling Wing is mission-ready today and ideally positioned for tomorrow. As a Congressional delegation, we are confident that Lincoln is an ideal candidate for the KC-46A. We look forward to working closely with you and your team as you consider how Nebraska can play a crucial role in the Air Force’s new era of aerial refueling.