Klobuchar: Hemp Ban Delay Passes Congress, Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that the House passed the Senate’s bipartisan bill that includes her provision to delay the federal hemp ban, based on the bipartisan Hemp Planting Predictability Act she introduced with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).

The bill will delay the looming federal hemp ban through December 11, 2026, and bans synthetic hemp derivatives. The bill now heads to the President’s desk.

Last month, the Senate rejected an effort to strip the delay of the hemp ban from the bill by a vote of 61-32. Klobuchar worked through the night and got the support of Senators from both parties to delay the ban.

“This is good news for Minnesota’s farmers, brewers, small businesses, and customers,” Klobuchar said. “Congress has now passed a bipartisan bill that includes a key provision based on my legislation to delay the federal hemp ban, which I opposed last November. The President should sign this bipartisan bill into law immediately. This delay will give Minnesota hemp’s producers, retailers, and customers certainty, and give Congress more time to get to a long-term fix.”

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Klobuchar: Federal Funding Will Be Provided For Annunciation Community

MINNESOTA – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was informed by the Department of Justice that the funding she and others had requested for the Annunciation Catholic School community has been awarded. This funding from the Office for Victims of Crime will provide resources for mental health and support services to those impacted by last year’s tragic shooting, as well as for school modifications, substitute teachers, and medical needs.

Klobuchar urged and received a commitment from Attorney General Blanche during his confirmation hearing to work with her to make federal funding available to support the Annunciation community.

“The Annunciation community has shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy, and they deserve the resources to help them heal,” said Klobuchar. “These federal funds will now be available to support the students, families, and educators impacted by this horrific shooting.”

The federal funding will provide approximately $2.6 million to the Annunciation community.


In Taos, Luján Hosts Roundtable on Ticketing Marketplace, Unveils New Legislation to Protect Ticket Buyers from Ticket Scams

Taos, N.M. – On Monday, at Taos Mothership, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) unveiled the Guaranteeing Honest Ownership in Secondary Ticketing (GHOST) Act, legislation to protect fans and concertgoers from deceptive ticket resale practices by prohibiting resellers from selling tickets they do not actually possess.

During the event, Senator Luján held a roundtable conversation with nonprofit promoters, small venue leaders, artists, and community members to hear directly about the challenges they face in the ticketing marketplace. Senator Luján discussed speculative ticketing, local and federal ticketing issues, and his efforts to protect consumers while supporting artists and independent venues.

“This week in Taos, I was proud to announce my new legislation to protect ticket buyers because when New Mexicans spend their hard-earned money on a concert or event, they deserve to know the ticket they are buying actually exists,” said Senator Luján. “Too often, fans are misled into purchasing tickets from resellers who don’t even have them. I was grateful for the conversation and the opportunity to hear directly from local leaders about the challenges facing fans, artists, and venues. That’s why I introduced the GHOST Act to protect consumers, hold bad actors accountable, and bring greater transparency and fairness to the ticket marketplace.”

Too often, consumers unknowingly purchase “speculative” or “ghost” tickets listed by resellers who do not actually have the tickets they are advertising. In some cases, buyers may not learn until shortly before an event that their tickets are unavailable, leaving them with little time to find legitimate replacements that may be sold out or significantly more expensive. Currently, there is no federal law specifically prohibiting speculative ticketing. The GHOST Act would establish nationwide protections to prevent resellers from advertising and selling tickets they do not possess.

Specifically, the GHOST Act would:

Ban ticket resellers from selling tickets they do not have actual possession of;

Empower the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against violators and seek injunctive and monetary relief;

Require the FTC to establish a website where consumers can report potential violations of the GHOST Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016; and

Allow state attorneys general to bring actions to enforce the law.

The legislation is supported by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA).

Full bill text is available here.

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Senator Marshall, Barrasso Call for Expanded Grazing Access for American Cattle Producers

Dodge City – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) led Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of the Interior to continue efforts to expand grazing access for livestock producers and strengthen risk management tools that protect cattle producers from market volatility.

In their letter, the Senators wrote:

“The United States’ beef industry is the greatest in the world and one of the brightest spots of American agriculture, making up nearly a quarter of U.S. agriculture receipts. The Federal government must remain laser-focused on partnering with the industry and state efforts for ranchers, expand grazing on public and private lands, and improve protein processing capacity.”

The Senators urged the agencies to finalize the Bureau of Land Management’s grazing rule, reevaluate federal programs that limit grazing capacity, and strengthen livestock risk management tools, and improve meat processing capacity.

With America’s cattle herd at its lowest level in roughly 75 years, Senator Marshall is working to give producers the tools and certainty they need to rebuild the herd, including expanded grazing access, better risk management, transparent beef labeling, and stronger livestock disease research.

Background:

In July, Senator Marshall introduced the Emerging Tick-Borne Livestock Disease Research Prioritization Act, which designates tick-borne livestock diseases as a high-priority research area at USDA and authorizes competitive grants through existing research programs to support the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and treatments.

Senator Marshall introduced the Beef Labeling Clarity Act in November 2025 to increase transparency for consumers and help American cattle producers distinguish their beef in the marketplace.

In March, Senator Marshall praised USDA’s efforts to promote the strengthened “Product of USA” labeling standard.

Senator Marshall previously introduced the Bona Fide Beef Branding Act and pressed USDA to replace confusing labeling standards with more accurate information about where beef is born, raised, and processed.

Senator Marshall has consistently advocated for policies that give consumers greater transparency while ensuring Kansas cattle producers receive credit for the high-quality beef they raise.

Click here to read the full letter.

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CHOBANI’S $1.2 BILLION INVESTMENT IN LEHIGH VALLEY PLANT IS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA WORKERS, FARMS, AND MANUFACTURING

$1.2 billion investment will create 900 full-time jobs and represent the largest increase in demand for Pennsylvania dairy in state history

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA — Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) today welcomed Chobani’s $1.2 billion investment in a 1.5 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Upper Macungie Township. The plant will bring 900 full-time jobs to the Lehigh Valley over the next five years and open new markets for more than 4,000 Pennsylvania dairy farmers.

This investment announced today is expected to create the largest increase in demand for Pennsylvania dairy in the Commonwealth’s history. Once fully operational, the facility is projected to process more than three billion pounds of Pennsylvania milk annually, which represents about 30 percent of all milk currently produced in the state.

Senator McCormick has known Chobani Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya for years, and has long admired his vision, his commitment to doing well by doing good, and his willingness to invest for the long term. That relationship, paired with months of work by the Governor’s team alongside Chobani’s leadership, helped move this project from early interest to a finished deal in Pennsylvania.

“When an innovative company like Chobani chooses to invest in Pennsylvania, it’s a vote of confidence in our workers, our farms, and our manufacturing strength,” said Senator McCormick. “I’ve known Hamdi Ulukaya and Chobani President and COO Kevin Burns for decades, and both are exceptional business leaders. I was proud to work alongside Chobani’s leadership and the Governor’s team to help bring this investment home. It will mean good jobs, new opportunities for our dairy farmers, and more economic growth in the Lehigh Valley.”

This Upper Macungie Township facility will add to the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing base with production, maintenance, and logistics jobs, plus construction work as the plant comes online. Those paychecks, in turn, will support the restaurants, suppliers, and small businesses around them.

“Pennsylvania has the workers, the farms, and the know-how to support an investment of this scale,” Senator McCormick continued. “This investment will create real opportunity for thousands of dairy farm families, processors, haulers, and communities across the Commonwealth and I’m proud of the work our team did to help bring this investment to Pennsylvania.”

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Merkley Bringing ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meetings’ to Portland, Springfield, Medford

PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced today he will hold ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meetings’ in Portland, Springfield, and Medford on Thursday, September 10.

“Our democratic republic works best when elected officials work for the public good, not the elected official’s personal profit,” said Merkley. “Trump and his family abuse his office and official connections to rake in billions for themselves at every turn, while making life more expensive for hard-working Americans. During the ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meetings,’ we invite Oregonians to come share their ideas for how to restore ‘government by and for the people.’”

At each event, Merkley will provide a brief update about the extent of corruption and discuss proposed solutions, before turning to attendees to discuss the impact of corruption and why it must be stopped.

In the U.S. Senate, Merkley has led the charge to end public corruption—including preventing lawmakers from trading stocks, banning cryptocurrency-related corruption by elected officials at the highest levels of the federal government, cracking down on the dangers that prediction markets pose to our democracy, getting dark money out of politics, and reforming the Supreme Court.

Details about Merkley’s ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’ are as follows, with additional details to be sent to local media ahead of each event:

Thursday, September 10:

Portland ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’

Time: 9:00 am PT

Location: East Portland Community Center – Gym

740 SE 106th Ave, Portland, OR 97216

Springfield ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’

Time: 12:45 pm PT

Location: Bob Keefer Center – Gym

250 S 32nd St, Springfield, OR 97478

Medford ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’

Time: 5:15 pm PT

Location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary – Gym

3101 McLoughlin Dr, Medford, OR 97504

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VIDEO: On National Police K9 Day, Senator Moody and Congressman Bean Champion Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Law Enforcement Animals

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—It’s National Police K9 Day, and Senator Ashley Moody is championing legislation to strengthen protections for law enforcement animals. Senator Moody and Congressman Aaron Bean recently held a ceremony with law enforcement leaders in Jacksonville to spotlight the LEO K9 Protection Act. The measure strengthens penalties for intentionally harming law enforcement animals and expands federal protections to cover state and local police animals assisting federal law enforcement.

“Police K9s are not equipment or accessories. They are highly trained members of law enforcement who charge toward dangers that send others running. I introduced the LEO K9 Protection Act to strengthen protections for these canines and hold those who intentionally harm our four-legged law enforcement heroes accountable. I will continue fighting to ensure Florida law enforcement has the support and resources needed to keep us safe—and that includes our special K9s,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

“Our working K9s serve on the front lines, protecting officers and communities alike,” said Congressman Aaron Bean. “They deserve real protection, not just praise—and the LEO K9 Protection Act will provide it by strengthening penalties for individuals who use a deadly weapon to harm these heroic animals in the line of duty. We must ensure that the sacrifices of courageous K9s like Leo are never forgotten and that the next injured K9 has the best chance to return home. By enacting this bill, we can guarantee that K9s receive the urgent care they deserve and help prevent more handlers from experiencing the heartbreak of losing their partners in the line of duty.”

BACKGROUND:

Senator Moody introduced the LEO K9 Protection Act, legislation aimed at strengthening penalties for individuals who use a deadly weapon to harm a federal police dog or horse in the line of duty.

The bill expands federal protections to include state, county, and local law enforcement animals assisting a federal agency.

This legislation provides a good-faith exception for individuals providing emergency veterinary care to injured law enforcement animals.

The bill directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue regulations allowing emergency medical service providers to transport injured police animals at their discretion.

This legislation was named in honor of K9 Leo, a fallen Marion County, Florida, canine deputy.

This bill was originally introduced in the House by Congressman Aaron Bean (R-FL-4).

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Moreno Reveals Connecticut Governor Gave Driver’s License to Illegal Who Killed Ohioan, Demands Answers

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) revealed that the state of Connecticut gave a driver’s license to an illegal alien who killed Ohioan Austin Karr Grimes over the weekend, as part of the state’s “drive-only” license policy. Connecticut has issued nearly 60,700 “drive-only” licenses to illegal aliens.

Read the full text of the letter HERE.


In Port Townsend, Murray Tours Jefferson Healthcare and Reiterates Need to Repeal GOP Health Care Cuts, Expand Health Care Access

***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***

Port Townsend, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), toured Jefferson Healthcare and discussed the new challenges health care providers are facing over a year after Republicans passed the largest health care cuts in history in their Big Ugly Bill. Throughout the tour, Senator Murray heard from providers about the impact of the Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and their failure to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits—causing massive premium hikes for families in Washington state.

The Republican reconciliation bill, which was signed into law in July 2025, cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA over the next 10 years and will make health care more expensive and harder to access. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health insurance for roughly 15 million Americans nationwide.

“Republicans passed the largest cuts to health care in history and have singlehandedly created a national health care crisis. Meanwhile, providers are left to wonder how they will keep their staff paid and their doors open,” said Senator Murray. “Providers are doing incredible work, but they’re being asked to do a more with a whole lot less. If that weren’t damaging enough, Republicans refused to extend the health care tax credits—which millions of people relied on to afford health coverage. The fallout from that has been devastating. Families saw their premiums double, triple, or even worse. When families in Jefferson County can’t afford coverage, they don’t get less sick—they just end up in emergency rooms where hospitals eat the cost and everyone else foots the bill. Congress needs to repeal Trump’s cuts to health care—getting there won’t be easy, but we must fight hard and make sure all Americans understand the harm these cuts are doing.”

ABOUT TRUMP’S MEDICAID CUTS:

Nationwide, the Republican health care cuts represent a more than $400 billion hit to America’s hospitals—with one estimate finding that over 170 rural hospitals will likely be forced to close or scale back their services, which will force more Americans to travel further for maternity care and emergency room visits, and face longer wait times. Washington state is one of the states most at-risk, with 22 hospitals at-risk of closing or reducing services. An estimated 477,000 health workers will lose their jobs as a result of the Republican cuts to Medicaid. Senator Murray has consistently advocated for rural health care access across the state, hosting numerous events to emphasize the importance of investment into rural communities.

Hospitals in Washington state could lose at least $662 million in Medicaid revenue every year under the One Big Beautiful Act (OBBBA)—forcing hospitals to lay off staff, cut services, or close their doors entirely. Overall, Washington state is expected to lose between $31 billion and $51 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next decade. In 2024, Washington had an uninsured rate of 4.8 percent—the lowest in the country—but the Republican bill is expected to balloon that number into the double digits.

In Washington state, nearly 2 million people—roughly 1 in 5—are enrolled in Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program. Washington’s 4th Congressional District has the highest Medicaid enrollment in Washington state, with nearly 300,000 people—38 percent of all residents—reliant on Apple Health, including 70 percent of all children in the state.

ABOUT GOP REFUSAL TO EXTEND ACA TAX CREDITS:

Senator Murray forced the issue of the ACA tax credits at every opportunity before Republicans ultimately refused to take any action, speaking out nonstop about the urgent need to save health care and calling on Republicans to come to the negotiating table to work out a bipartisan deal to extend the ACA tax credits. She took to the Senate floor in November 2025 with her Democratic colleagues to call for a clean one-year extension of the ACA tax credits, and held numerous virtual press conferences with Washingtonians, as well as residents of neighboring states Idaho and Montana, about the exploding health care premiums that Americans would see due to the expiration of the tax credits. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray led legislation supported by the Democratic caucus that would have addressed the health care crisis during the government shutdown last fall. Senator Murray has also cosponsored multiple pieces of legislation over the past year—the Health Care Affordability Act and the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act—that would make the ACA tax credits permanent.

As then-chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Murray played a critical role in passing the ACA enhanced premium tax credits into law in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and extending them in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.


In Sequim, Senator Murray Affirms Commitment to Protect Public Lands, Invest in Forest Service and National Parks; Murray Reiterates Strong Opposition to Repeal of Roadless Rule and Continues Fight to Pass Wild Olympics Bill

Senator Murray’s Wild Olympics Bill Would Protect Olympic Peninsula Public Lands & Salmon Streams Against Trump Administration Threats

ICYMI: Senator Murray’s Wild Olympics Bill Advances Through Key Senate Hearing on Wave of New Sportsmen Endorsements Calling for Permanent Protection of Wild Olympics

Photos of Wild Olympics available for use HERE

***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL OF EVENT HERE***

Sequim, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion with local elected officials, environmental advocates, sportsmen, shellfish farmers, and a former Superintendent of Olympic National Park to talk about the Trump administration’s attacks on the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and how they are threatening Washington state’s economy, clean water, salmon, and public lands on the Olympic Peninsula. The Trump administration has pushed out thousands of USFS staff, frozen federal funding, may shutter USFS research stations in Wenatchee and Seattle, threatened to sell off public land and build in America’s national parks, and moved to roll back the roadless rule.

The roadless rule currently protects over two million acres of pristine national forest backcountry lands in Washington State, including some of the most critical headwaters and salmon streams in the Olympic National Forest. The same ancient rainforest headwaters and upstream salmon habitat and rivers on public land that Senator Murray’s Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would permanently protect. The Wild Olympics bill has a broad coalition of 800 endorsing local Tribes, businesses, local elected officials, faith leaders, conservation, and outdoor recreation groups, and over 40 leading sportsmen organizations fighting together to pass it in Congress. Murray has been outspoken in her strong opposition to the repeal of the roadless rule.

“Here on the Peninsula we all know that the Olympic National Park and National Forest support thousands of jobs in recreation and timber, keep our watersheds healthy, and protect our communities from wildfire. But this administration doesn’t seem to care. From denying climate change to gutting the Forest Service and National Parks—they’re putting not only the livelihoods and culture of this community in jeopardy but its safety as well. This administration has seriously weakened the Forest Service’s ability to do its job by pushing out thousands of critical staff, blocking funding for crucial programs, and chaotically changing rules and procedures on a dime,” said Senator Murray. “I am fighting to reverse these cuts to our parks and our forests, pass my Wild Olympics bill, and codify the Roadless Rule. And while I am committed to protecting funding for the Forest Service and our National Parks—it’s important to have conversations today about what will be needed to rebuild and strengthen our Forest Service and National Parks in the long-term. President Trump will not have the final word here—I’ll be fighting tooth and nail to keep public lands in public hands, and protect the natural resources and environment that make Washington state the greatest place to live in America.”

Senator Murray heard from key local voices about the impact the Trump Administration’s staffing cuts and attacks on public lands are having on the Olympic Peninsula. They said the rollback of key administrative safeguards are threatening ancient forests, salmon streams, sources of clean water vital to the shellfish industry, and drinking water to local communities, and they urged her to do everything she can to pass the Wild Olympics bill before it’s too late for public lands and salmon.

David Morris, Former Olympic National Park Superintendent (Sequim): “By way of introduction, I spent 25 rewarding years managing national parks in several western states, including as superintendent of Olympic National Park from 1994 to 2002. During this time the administrations had varying priorities. Policies, including budgets and staffing levels vacillated but generally stayed within margins that allowed for managing our national parks according to our assigned mission. This has changed dramatically in the last 2 years. I’ve never seen a time when so few people have and continue destroying the pillars that have guided the park service for generations. This has sacrificed and continues to jeopardize every aspect of the what the NPS provides for current and future visitors for their safety and enjoyment including cutting permanent staff by 24%, ignoring basic maintenance, infrastructure upgrades and operational needs. Funding and support have been cut for critical environmental and scientific issues. National parks bring crucial and positive economic impacts to local communities. The clock is ticking. I venture to say that some of the now ignored operational and maintenance needs, disastrous staffing losses, and critically, a recognition of environmental values and scientific studies are disastrous and shameful. Some of these needs, and others, can be addressed fairly quickly if/when resources are available. Others, especially efforts to correct and reverse ongoing environmental damage and canceled scientific studies will take longer if ever. But we have no choice other than giving it our best effort.”

Amy Howard, Mayor of Port Townsend (Port Townsend): “Staffing and funding cuts at our federal land agencies have made it harder to keep trails and recreational infrastructure open and safe for the hikers and paddlers and hunters who come here or live here, and for the local businesses that depend on them. The proposal that concerns me most as mayor of Port Townsend is the U.S. Forest Service’s effort to repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For 25 years, this rule has kept new roads out of the last unroaded stretches of the Olympic National Forest, protecting old growth, wildlife habitat and clean water. The Quilcene Roadless Area is the source of drinking water for about 16,000 area residents and businesses for Port Townsend. Because that watershed has stayed undeveloped and unroaded, the water arrives clean enough that it needs very little treatment before it reaches our taps. The city has worked with the Forest Service for over 95 years to protect that source, and the Roadless Rule has backstopped that work for the last 25. That is why I’m one of the more than 800 tribes, elected officials and local stakeholders who have endorsed the Wild Olympics legislation now in Congress, which would give most of the roadless areas in the Olympic National Forest, including our drinking water source, permanent legislative protection instead of the administrative protection we have now, which is clearly fragile.”

Bill Taylor, Vice President of Taylor Shellfish Farms (Shelton): “The Wild Olympics legislation will help protect our state’s shellfish industry, including hundreds of shell fishing jobs in Hood Canal alone – and many more in related industries like processing, shipping, and sales. It protects the rivers and streams vital to the health of our hatcheries and to the health and restoration of Puget Sound. Our oyster beds depend on the clean, cold, silt-free water that drains off Olympic National Forest into Hood Canal. Protecting these watersheds allows our industry to grow, expand and continue to benefit the economy and ecology of Washington State.”

Ashley Nichole Lewis, Bad Ash Outdoors (Taholah), a spokesperson for Sportsmen For Wild Olympics, and Member of the Quinault Indian Nation: “Wild Olympics protects the Olympic Peninsula’s ancient forests, free-flowing rivers and salmon streams for the future. It will protect & enhance fishing and hunting access without closing any roads, but it also permanently protects some of the last healthy upstream salmon and steelhead habitat left on the peninsula. That’s why Sportsmen For Wild Olympics just launched a new effort to fight USDA’s plan to log roadless headwaters on Olympic National Forest with a map of the salmon streams at risk that also shows how the Wild Olympics Act would protect them. The map tells Congress & the Administration: protect the Olympic Peninsula’s backcountry headwaters & salmon streams on public lands—don’t privatize or develop them. Just like what they did to the Boundary Waters, rescinding the Roadless Rule is yet another attempt to give away our public lands to private special interests—at the expense of salmon, clean water, and future generations. The map shows how the Wild Olympics proposal would protect key areas like South Quinault Ridge & Moonlight Dome, which form the headwaters of the Humptulips River, a top trophy fishing river in Washington State, and other core ancient forest headwaters & rivers vital for hunting & fishing on the Peninsula —areas the Administration now plans to open for logging by rescinding the Roadless Rule.”

Sportsmen For Wild Olympics also keeps a running tally of sportsmen outlets detailing the avalanche of threats to public lands from the administration and congress.

Tim McNulty, Olympic Park Advocates and Co-Founder of the Wild Olympics Campaign (Quilcene): “The reason we first began the Wild Olympics Campaign was to give permanent, statutory Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections to the last healthy intact salmon habitat in the upper parts of the watersheds on Olympic National Forest. There have been incredible Tribal, private and public efforts and resources poured in to restoring the degraded habitat downstream, but the healthy intact habitat upstream still lacks permanent protection. The Roadless Rule repeal would open these areas up to development. Senator Murray’s Wild Olympics Act would permanently protect them against threats like these for or future.”

Connie Gallant, Chair, Wild Olympics Campaign (Quilcene): “We are so grateful for Senator Murray and Representative Randall’s leadership at this critical time for our public lands. The local momentum for the Wild Olympics Act has never been stronger and the need for its protections for our ancient forests & salmon streams has never been greater.”

As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in the Interior and Environment appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026, which Senator Murray negotiated and helped pass into law, Murray worked to reject the Trump administration’s attempts to decimate America’s cherished public lands, and delivered critical investments to our National Parks and forests, in Washington state and across the country. In FY26, she secured $6.13 billion for the U.S. Forest Service, with separate additional funding for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve. The bill rejected the steep $1.4 billion cut to the Forest Service’s non-fire budget proposed by President Trump and provides funding for the Forest Service to improve forest restoration and fire risk reduction efforts on federal lands. The FY26 bill also fully funds essential wildfire preparedness and suppression efforts by providing $4.25 billion for wildfire suppression, of which $2.85 billion is for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund and continues to support the increased pay for federal firefighters enacted into law last year. In FY26, Senator Murray also secured $3.27 billion for the National Park Service, including $2.87 billion for the operation of the National Park System—$1.15 billion higher than the level requested by Trump. The bill provides the resources to sustain FY24 staffing levels and provides the funding necessary to support a full complement of seasonal staff during FY26. Senator Murray continues to push back against Trump’s FY27 budget request, to protect our public lands.

Senator Murray has been a leading voice raising the alarm on how the Trump administration’s funding freezes, punishing cuts to the workforce, and mass reorganization at the U.S. Forest Service and other key agencies are seriously undermining wildfire preparedness and response in Washington state. Earlier this year, Senator Murray fought back against Trump’s proposed cuts to key programs and reorganization at USDA that could threaten resources for wildland firefighting, and pressed USFS Chief Schultz for more information on reports noting National Forest Trails were understaffed following widespread firings. Last year in a Senate hearing, Senator Murray pressed Schultz on how the mass layoffs and funding freezes were putting wildfire preparedness in jeopardy. Senator Murray also joined forces with Senator Merkley and wildfire officials to lay out how the Trump administration’s cuts and layoffs are threatening wildfire preparedness across the Pacific Northwest. Last year, Senator Murray also released a report on how the Trump administration’s cuts to the National Park Service hurt Washington state and threaten wildfire response in the parks.

A fact sheet on the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is available HERE.

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Murray Introduces Bill to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada & Lower Costs, Slams Trump’s Latest Tariffs as “Economic Arson”

Seattle, WA – After President Trump continued to ignore skyrocketing costs and hit American families with a new round of tariff taxes, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in introducing legislation that would revoke Trump’s newest global tariffs and 50% tariffs on Canada, and curtail Trump’s ability to continue waging his unilateral trade war.

Since Trump has started his latest trade war, American families have paid the price. In just one year, Trump’s tariff tax cost the average family nearly $2,000, with hardworking Americans bearing 96% of the cost of the hundreds of billions of dollars in new tariffs. Still, Trump has been undeterred by the chaos and pain his trade war has wrought and continues to double down on the global stage.

Today, Murray and Schumer introduced the End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, legislation that would revoke and refund Trump’s latest barrage of tariffs and repeal the archaic authorities he has used to continue his trade war. This legislation would apply to Trump’s newest global tariffs of 12.5% and 50% tariffs on Canada.

“Trump’s erratic and senseless trade war is nothing short of economic arson—no business can plan around Trump’s unpredictable tariffs, American credibility is shot, and costs are up,” said Senator Murray. “While Republicans are enabling Trump’s economic sabotage, Democrats are fighting to put an end to these reckless tariffs. That’s why we’re introducing this legislation to block and refund Trump’s tariffs so we can focus on growing the economy for everyone and making life affordable again.”

“While inflation rages, families struggle to pay their bills, and small businesses close, Trump – detached from reality – continues his bluster on the global stage, doubling down on a chaotic trade war that has meant only pain for American families, farmers, and manufacturers,” said Leader Schumer. “Republicans won’t stand up to Trump’s nonsense and Americans are crying out for relief. That’s why I am introducing legislation that would end Trump’s costly tariff taxes.”

The legislation is also co-sponsored by Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

Senator Murray has fought Trump’s tariff taxes at every turn alongside her colleagues, with Senate Democrats forcing multiple successful votes to terminate Trump’s previous tariffs on Canada, Brazil, and other major trading partners, and supporting the litigation that led to the Supreme Court striking down Trump’s prior tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Senator Murray has been outspoken about the harm Trump’s tariffs are causing in Washington state—one of the most trade-dependent states in the country; Murray has held numerous events in every corner of the state to hear from businesses, farmers, and border communities about the effects of Trump’s trade war.

Bill text is available here.

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Senator Murray on House Passage of CR

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on House passage of the Senate-passed continuing resolution (CR) that keeps the government funded through December 11.

“It’s a good thing that Congress has averted a shutdown that no one wants. Now, the president just needs to sign the bill.

“We have a lot of work ahead in the coming months to negotiate spending bills that invest in families instead of President Trump’s war budget, and I will be pushing at every step of the way to invest in making life more affordable and to rein in the corrupt abuses of this administration.”

More information on the CR, which the Senate passed on August 8, is available HERE.

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Padilla, Schiff Announce Nearly $150 Million in Federal Funding for LA Metro Vermont Transit Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement that it is providing nearly $150 million in federal funds for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Vermont Transit Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The federal funding, which Padilla and Schiff have championed, was provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and is the maximum amount permitted under the Capital Investment Grant’s Small Starts Program.

The Vermont Avenue BRT Project will include 12.4 miles of all-day dedicated side-running bus lanes. The project will also provide 26 enhanced bus stations along the route with upgraded lighting to improve public safety, as well as installing safety-focused crosswalks. The Vermont Avenue BRT Project is a key component of LA Metro’s transportation plan for the 2028 Olympics and is expected to significantly reduce travel time on major transit corridors across Metro’s service area during the games.

“Our local public transit systems are the backbone of economy, connecting people to jobs, schools, essential services, and opportunities in their communities,” said Senator Padilla. “As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we must ensure Angelenos and visitors alike can rely on safe, accessible, and high-quality public transportation. With the Games now less than two years away, this funding is an important down payment, and we look forward to working with DOT and the Administration to secure the remaining federal transportation investment essential to making the Games a success.”

“I am proud to work with Senator Padilla, our Congressional partners, and local leaders in securing these important federal dollars that will help deliver safe, efficient, and reliable transportation for thousands of Angelenos ahead of the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Senator Schiff. “This investment will support local economic growth, upgrade bus stations along the route, reduce travel time, and connect thousands of people along one of Los Angeles County’s busiest bus routes.”

“I am grateful to U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and to our LA County Congressional Delegation, for their strong and effective advocacy for the Vermont Avenue BRT Project,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “This Congressional support will benefit hundreds of thousands of Angelenos, as this project will, in the near future, be the highest ridership bus rapid transit project in the United States. The support of the Federal Transit Administration and our U.S. Senators and House delegation also means that this project will play a key role with respect to our mobility plans for the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Metro very much looks forward to building this project that will improve the quality of life for so many LA County residents.”

Senator Padilla has been a strong advocate for critical funding for transit access across California. Earlier this month, Padilla and Schiff joined their Democratic colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration stop delaying the advancement of public transportation projects funded by the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, including its continued lack of action on the next phase of Metro’s Southeast Gateway line, which is critical to strengthening and expanding transit infrastructure in Los Angeles. In April, Padilla announced that the Los Angeles metro area would receive nearly $90 million for transit costs associated with hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games. In 2024, Padilla announced new federal transportation infrastructure investments for the LA region and nearly $900 million in federal investments in LA Metro to improve mobility and upgrade transportation infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Reed: It’s Time to Pull the Plug on Crypto ATM Scams

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Last week, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a warning that crypto ATM fraud is on the rise. Crypto scammers use sophisticated methods to target older Americans, contact them and use threats, intimidation, and fabricated backstories to coerce them into depositing large sums of money into the criminals’ crypto wallets via cryptocurrency ATMs (also known as “Bitcoin ATMs” or “digital asset kiosks”).

In 2025, cyber criminals used crypto ATMs to defraud Americans of roughly $389 million, according to the FBI’s most recent annual Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). There were 13,400 crypto ATM scam complaints nationwide, including 55 in Rhode Island that drained over $1,513,740 from victims in the Ocean State alone.

The IC3 report shows a 23 percent increase in crypto ATM scam complaints and a 58 percent increase in monetary losses from 2024. More than half of the complaints involved victims over the age 50, with those losses costing over $302 million. And given the fact that many people fail to report fraud, the actual monetary losses from crimes involving America’s network of about 30,000 crypto ATMs is likely even higher.

Rhode Island has over 100 crypto ATMs currently in operation at places like local gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops. These terminals look just like cash machines and allow users to deposit large denominations of dollar bills and quickly convert it into crypto currency which can then be instantly and irreversibly transferred to digital wallets using overseas exchanges that don’t have to comply with U.S. laws. Unlike with a bank or credit card transaction, once the money is sent, it can almost never be recovered. That is why crypto ATMs are used by scammers targeting older Americans.

While U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) lauds states like Rhode Island for taking steps to try to regulate crypto ATMs to prevent fraud, Reed, who serves on the Senate Banking Committee, says the Trump Administration has presided over an explosion in fraud and money laundering at digital asset kiosks, leaving consumers at risk, making it easier for scammers to profit from illicit transactions, and making it harder for states to combat rising fraud.

“The Trump family is profiting off of crypto ventures while the Trump Administration is failing to protect older Americans from scammers that are using crypto ATMs to steal their hard earned retirement savings. As the illicit financial losses pile up, the Trump Administration must be more proactive when it comes to enforcing anti-money laundering laws on the books and ensuring the owners and operators of crypto ATMs are helping to prevent fraud,” said Senator Reed, a cosponsor of the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act (S. 710) to help prevent scammers from stealing Americans’ savings through cryptocurrency schemes.

The Crypto ATM Fraud Act would improve fraud warnings on all crypto kiosks; make cryptocurrency ATM operators develop a comprehensive anti-fraud policy, which must be submitted to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN); and protect new customers -- who are most likely to be victims of fraud -- by limiting initial transaction amounts, requiring verbal confirmation of major transactions, and making victims of fraud eligible for refunds if they file a report within 30 days.

While the Republican-controlled Congress has not moved forward with that legislation, Reed notes the Trump Administration can still crack down on fraud simply be enforcing existing law but notes the Trump Administration seems to be more focused on aiding special interests and billionaires instead of working people.

In 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department issued guidance clarifying that crypto ATM operators must register and adhere to the same Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules that apply to banks. However, there are high rates of non-compliance: According to a 2021 investigation, more than one-third of crypto ATM companies operating in New Jersey had failed to register at the federal level.

“Instead of allowing consumers to continue getting scammed at record levels, the Trump Administration should help combat fraudulent activity tied to crypto ATMs and Congress should strengthen and improve oversight,” said Reed.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that, in 2024, cryptocurrency accounted for 33 percent of losses worth at least $10,000 reported by older people subjected to scams.

The FTC, and FBI urge victims of fraud to contact local law enforcement and the kiosk operator; file federal complaints at reportfraud.ftc.gov; and to save crypto ATM receipts, wallet addresses, QR codes, transaction hashes, communications, and the location of the crypto ATM they accessed to help investigators. However, there is no guarantee of recovery.

Senator Reed has simple advice for anyone who receives a call, text, or e mail directing them to rush to a crypto ATM to make a payment: Don’t do it! It. Is. A. Scam. Call someone you trust instead and ask for assistance.


Sen. Rick Scott Calls on Congress to Pass SAFE KIDS Act to Prevent Birth Tourism Schemes from Foreign Adversaries

NAPLES, Fla. – Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott is calling on Congress to pass the SAFE KIDS Act, his bill to stop the exploitation of America’s immigration laws by hostile foreign adversaries, including Communist China.

The urgent need to pass this legislation is highlighted by two events happening today:

A Florida woman is in court in St. Augustine fighting for custody of her twins that the intended father from Communist China – who has never set foot on American soil – never picked up.

Meanwhile, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses will hold a hearing focused on highlighting suspected birth tourism abuse in the Miami area.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The case in St. Augustine is tragic, disturbing, and completely preventable. These poor children, through no fault of their own, are stuck in limbo over where their home will be — all because America’s surrogate system is ripe for abuse and exploitation. My bill, the SAFE KIDS Act, prevents our enemies from abusing our hospitality and medicine to give them a foothold in our country. It would prevent the exact tragedy playing out in Florida right now.”

“This problem will not go away if we do nothing. The fact that there are entire businesses in Florida that appear to be based around exploiting our immigration system more than speaks to that. We need to protect the most vulnerable among us from being trafficked and treated like commodities. I am grateful that Chairman Gill and the task force are taking this seriously. America’s enemies should not be able to scam their way to American citizenship. I encourage all my colleagues in the Senate to pass my bill immediately.”

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In Mesquite, Senator Rosen, Mayor Whipple Discuss Tourism, Visit New Fire Station

MESQUITE, NV – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) recently joined Mayor Jesse Whipple in hosting a discussion in Mesquite, Nevada, with local tourism and small business leaders and visited the newly opened Fire Station 2. At the station, she met with Mesquite Fire Chief Jayson Andrus and the rest of the crew to hear firsthand about the work this new station will do to keep families in Mesquite safe. Senator Rosen has been leading efforts to support our first responders and fire prevention efforts. In 2025, Senator Rosen helped secure $8 million in federal funding for Nevada’s firefighters through the Fire Grants and Safety Act she helped pass into law.

Senator Rosen also hosted a roundtable discussion with Mesquite’s tourism sector and small business owners to hear their perspectives on the growth of the city’s tourism industry and its benefits to the local economy. Senator Rosen has been working to boost the tourism industry, helping to introduce the Vital Investment in Sustaining International Tourism to the USA (VISIT USA) Act to fully restore funding for the promotion of travel to the U.S.

“As one of Nevada’s U.S. Senators, I’m working every single day to improve life for hardworking families and make sure communities all across our state have the resources they need,” said Senator Rosen. “From supporting our first responders to boosting the tourism industry and local economy, I’m working with local leaders to ensure families in Mesquite can be safe and thrive. I’m grateful to everyone who met with me for sharing their insights and stories, which I’ll bring with me to the Senate so I can keep fighting for every corner of Nevada.”

Senator Rosen has fought to support all Nevadan communities at the federal level. Last year, she helped secure nearly $30 million in federal funding for airports across Nevada, including nearly $1 million for Mesquite Airport. Last year, she secured more than $623 million in federal funding for Nevada. Already this year, she has secured millions for Nevada’s housing, airports, and rural communities.

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Following Schatz-McMahon Agreement, Education Department Set to Deliver Nearly $30 Million in Federal Funding to Hawai‘i Providers by Friday

HONOLULU – Following an agreement between U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the U.S Department of Education finalized an extension to fully fund the Native Hawaiian Education Program for another year and today awarded $29.7 million of that funding, which is set to go to Hawai‘i providers by Friday. The remaining funding from the extension agreement is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Federal funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Program supports more than 60 early childhood education sites across Hawai‘i and sustains other critical education programs, including home visiting for children under 5, workforce development for parents, and Hawaiian language immersion programs. The federally funded programs serve more than 3,000 Hawai‘i families.

“This is good news for Hawai‘i. This money helps thousands of young kids develop learning skills and gives Native Hawaiian families more affordable child care options,” said Senator Schatz, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “I’m grateful to Secretary McMahon for working with us to protect this funding and will continue fighting every day to make sure Hawai‘i gets its fair share of federal dollars.”


Shaheen Visits Hospital in Woodsville to Witness Funding She Secured to Support Rural Health Care; Celebrates Franconia Loop Restoration Project in Franconia

(Franconia, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, visited Cottage Hospital in Woodsville to tour renovations to the facility and traveled to Franconia to celebrate the restoration of a portion of the Loop trail. Both projects were made possible with Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) that Shaheen helped secure.

Photos from today’s events can be found HERE.

In Woodsville, Shaheen toured Cottage Hospital and saw how the facility is putting to use $1,725,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) she secured in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 government funding legislation for critical improvements, such as asbestos removal and key renovations. Shaheen’s visit follows congressional Republicans cutting trillions in federal health care funding in their “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which is having a particularly severe impact on rural hospitals who are facing an increased risk of closure as more Americans are unable to afford health insurance. At her visit, Shaheen discussed the damage of congressional Republicans’ OBB legislation, the impact federal layoffs are having on care in New Hampshire and ongoing concerns around high health care costs.

“Congressional Republicans’ decision to cut billions in health care funding is having a dire impact on health care access across the Granite State, and particularly in rural communities like those in the North Country. Rather than working to expand access to care and lower costs for families across the country, the Trump Administration’s mass firing of federal workers and their decision to slash health care funding have done just the opposite,” said Senator Shaheen. “I appreciated meeting with the folks at Cottage Hospital to hear a firsthand account of how they are being impacted by congressional Republicans’ disastrous OBB legislation and to learn how I can keep fighting in Washington to support our state’s rural health care providers.”

Senator Shaheen has a long track record of securing resources to support health facilities across New Hampshire. Shaheen secured millions of dollars to support key health care priorities in New Hampshire in the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill, including funding for health care facility improvement and workforce development. Recently, Shaheen visited Southern New Hampshire Health to see how critical radiology equipment funded in part by CDS is helping the hospital to increase health care accessibility.

Later, in Franconia, Shaheen met with senior officials from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and visited a portion of the Franconia Loop trail network to witness firsthand how federal funding Shaheen helped deliver has been used to transform the trail, both by improving hiker safety and protecting the trail from further erosion. Following a short hike on the trail, Shaheen delivered remarks celebrating the completion of the restoration of the trail and commending those who supported the effort at the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site. In FY 2022 government funding legislation, Shaheen secured $1,125,000 to support trail restoration work.

“Offering some of the most stunning views of the White Mountains, the Franconia Loop Trail is one of New Hampshire’s most iconic outdoor destinations. With years and years of heavy foot traffic causing severe erosion, there was a dire need for trail improvements, and I was more than happy to help secure federal resources for restoration efforts,” said Senator Shaheen. “It was great to visit part of the trail today and see the successful work to preserve the Loop. Thank you to the countless volunteers who devoted thousands of hours to restoring this trail—your efforts will serve countless hikers and benefit New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation economy for decades to come.”

Senator Shaheen’s efforts in FY 2022 to secure over $1 million for the Franconia Loop Trail is a testament to her continued advocacy for New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation economy during her career in Congress. In the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Shaheen helped secure funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for New Hampshire for parks, forests and other outdoor recreation development. In 2020, Shaheen helped lead the Great American Outdoors Act into law to permanently, fully fund the Land Water Conservation Fund and provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance on public lands. Shaheen also joined colleagues in introducing the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act to continue addressing deferred maintenance in national forests, national parks and other public lands.

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Tuberville Honors Ashlie Combs of Rainbow City as September “Veteran of the Month”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released a video honoring U.S. Army Specialist Ashlie Combs as the September “Veteran of the Month.”

Excerpts of Sen. Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, and complete remarks can be found here.

“Veterans’ mental health is one of the most unspoken struggles our brave men and women in uniform endure after serving our country. Many struggle silently and alone, which is why suicide has become a leading cause of death among our veterans. Combatting the mental health crisis for Alabama veterans has become the number one mission of U.S. Army Specialist Ashlie Combs of Rainbow City.

Ashlie enlisted in the Army in 2003 after graduating from Bay Minette High School. She grew up in a military family, so she knew the hardships of military life. But the September 11th attacks made Ashlie want to do her part to protect our great country.

[…]

Along the way, she got involved in the local Veterans Treatment Court where she has spent countless hours helping set vets up for success. Ashlie goes to great lengths to see veterans through their treatment from start to finish.

She recently received her graduate degree in counseling from Auburn University so that she can do this kind of work full-time. […] September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we are fortunate to have veterans like Ashlie who use their experience to help veterans struggling with their mental health. It is my honor to recognize Ashlie Combs as the September ‘Veteran of the Month.’”

Constituents can nominate an Alabama veteran and submit their information to Sen. Tuberville’s office for consideration in the 2026 “Veteran of the Month” series by emailing press_office@tuberville.senate.gov.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, McClain Delaney Announce $250,000 to Rehabilitate Boonsboro’s Wastewater System

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (all D-Md.) announced $250,000 in federal funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Town of Boonsboro to rehabilitate its wastewater system. The project includes inspecting 20,000 linear feet of sewer mains to identify infiltration sources and installing cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining in deteriorated sections. This work will prevent overflows during rain events, reduce treatment costs, and improve wastewater service to 42 businesses and 475 households.

“Upgrading aging sewage infrastructure is essential to the health and well-being of our communities and the local economy. This federal funding will support these much-needed improvements in Boonsboro, help prevent costly problems in the future, and ensure the town’s wastewater system is well-equipped to serve the needs of the residents and businesses for years to come,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) makes critical investments in Western Maryland and across the Appalachian region, and that is why I am fighting so hard to protect it against cuts. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I oversee ARC and know its critical work is not just a priority for Marylanders but also to the 12 other qualified states. I am proud to partner with Senator Van Hollen and Congresswoman McClain Delaney in announcing that ARC is investing $250,000 in federal investment for the Town of Boonsboro to upgrade its wastewater system. Critical investments in aging infrastructure like this one help fuel our economy and keep us healthy and safe,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

“Strong rural communities depend on strong, reliable infrastructure,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “This $250,000 federal investment will help Boonsboro modernize its wastewater system, lower long-term costs, and deliver more reliable service for hundreds of families and local businesses. I’m proud to work with Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks to bring federal resources home and make sure our rural communities have the infrastructure they need to grow and thrive.”

“Municipalities have tight budgets, so large-scale improvements like this often depend on grant funding. Boonsboro is extremely grateful to the Appalachian Regional Commission for the financial support to make this project happen,” said Mayor Howard Long, Town of Boonsboro.

This investment is provided through the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development partnership entity of the federal government and 13 state governments, focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. Senator Van Hollen secured $1 billion in federal funding over five years for the ARC through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The lawmakers worked to fund the ARC at an additional $200 million through the FY26 Energy & Water Development appropriations bill and have worked to prevent cuts to the program from the Trump Administration.

This funding builds on the $1,426,613 in federal funding Senator Van Hollen has worked to secure in recent years through Fiscal Year 2022 Congressionally Directed Spending and the Appalachian Regional Commission to support Boonsboro’s work to modernize their wastewater and sewage systems.


Wyden and Jayapal Call for GAO Investigation of DHS Surveillance; Courts Must Protect Public from Subpoena Abuses and Government Intimidation Tactics Used to Keep Surveillance of Americans Secret

Private companies and other entities often receive subpoenas from federal law enforcement containing vague, boilerplate nondisclosure provisions that can carry threats of legal consequences for noncompliance

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called for an investigation into decades-long abuses of authority by federal law enforcement agencies to coerce silence from subpoenaed private companies and on federal courts to protect the public from misleading demands for secrecy related to government surveillance.

In a letter to Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS), John Roberts, and Acting Comptroller of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Orice W. Brown, Wyden and Jayapal requested action to address federal agencies’ abuse of subpoena powers to surveil Americans. It has been the routine practice of federal law enforcement agencies to demand secrecy from companies that have received government subpoenas for customer records. But under federal law, only courts have that power. The agencies may not gag recipients of subpoenas, except in a few limited circumstances in which a court order is granted.

“While these secrecy demands carry no force of law, their coercive effect is extremely successful,” Wyden and Jayapal said. “This leaves customers entirely in the dark about government incursions into their personal data.”

Unfortunately, this practice has become institutionalized across multiple agencies including: Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), Drug Enforcement Association (DEA), and Department of Justice (DOJ).

ICE frequently makes boilerplate requests for indefinite silence through its administrative subpoenas, including its customs summons and immigration subpoenas. For example, on July 8, 2025, Harvard University received three immigration subpoenas from ICE regarding international students with boilerplate requests for silence. The next day, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release celebrating the same enforcement action it had just directed Harvard to keep secret.

DOJ has also treated extra-legal gag requests as standard operating procedure, regularly instructing the recipients of grand jury subpoenas not to disclose the government's demands. DOJ’s letters often include boilerplate language demanding recipients to "not disclose the existence of this subpoena or the fact of your compliance for a period of 90 days... Any such disclosure could seriously impede the investigation being conducted and, thereby, interfere with the enforcement of the federal criminal law."

As a result of these brazen abuses of authority, Wyden requests that the GAO initiate a comprehensive audit of the DOJ, DHS, and their relevant component agencies –including DEA, ICE, and HSI–regarding the use of non-disclosure language in subpoenas.

The text of the letter is here.

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Wyden Urges Google, Meta and TikTok To Stop Putting Small Businesses At Risk of Violating State Privacy Laws

Surveillance Ad Tracking Tools Collect Users’ Sensitive Information by Default, Big Tech Tracking Tools Won’t to Follow Universal Opt-Out required by Oregon California and Colorado

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged major tech companies to stop putting small businesses at risk of violating state privacy laws and to let Americans more easily opt-out of invasive surveillance by their advertising tracking tools, in a letter sent on Tuesday.

Writing to the heads of Google, Meta and TikTok, Wyden noted that the companies’ advertising tracking tools are designed to collect information on users by default to capture what websites they view, and what sensitive information they enter into sites online. That information is sent back to tech companies to fuel targeted advertising algorithms. These big tech companies all offer alternate modes that limit the data that is collected and shared by their trackers to comply with strict privacy laws enacted by a number of states, but these settings are disabled by default, and must be enabled by each business that embeds the companies’ trackers on their website or app.

“By making privacy-invasive tracking that is banned in several states the default, your platforms shift the entire burden of legal compliance onto small businesses, non-profits, and local organizations that lack the specialized legal teams or engineering resources to recognize their legal peril,” Wyden wrote. “When a local shop, a community healthcare provider, or a main-street business in Oregon deploys your tracking tools using your standard out-of-the-box configurations, they understandably expect that your tools allow them to comply with state or local laws out of the box — and do not expect that they are needlessly placed in severe legal jeopardy if they don’t take further action.”

Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, Virginia, Connecticut, and Utah all have state privacy laws that restrict how businesses can process sensitive data. Oregon, California and Colorado require sites to respect the Global Privacy Control, a one-click way to opt-out of surveillance advertising trackers. Google Ads, the TikTok Pixel and the Meta Pixel, however, don’t recognize and respect the global privacy control, instead forcing small business owners to add functionality to their websites to recognize the privacy signal and then trigger the relevant setting in the companies’ tracking tools.

Wyden has been a leader in the Senate pushing for stronger consumer privacy protections. His Mind Your Own Business Act was the first Senate bill that would have required sites to respect one-click privacy signals like the Global Privacy Control, and was an inspiration for California’s privacy law. He is the lead Senate sponsor of the Banning Surveillance Advertising Act, which would outlaw targeted advertising to protect Americans’ privacy.

A copy of the full letter is available here.

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Yakym Votes to Condemn Rise of Socialism in America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) voted to condemn and denounce socialism in all its forms, including the recent rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

“I never thought I’d see the day when the majority of Democrats would say out loud that they embrace socialism. But here we are,” Rep. Yakym said. “History has shown that socialism undermines the American Dream and fails again and again. I’m proud that House Republicans rejected it today and stood firm on the values that made America the greatest nation on earth.”

The DSA’s platform includes abolishing the nation’s borders, abolishing prisons, defunding the police, abolishing the U.S. Senate, and removing the president.

The resolution:

Condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the DSA

Reaffirms support for free, fair, and secure elections

Reiterates that American elections are for American citizens only

Recommits the House to upholding the Constitution

Calls for enactment of the SAVE America Act

Read the full resolution HERE.


Smith, Moran Lead Letter Urging Admin to Expand Markets for America’s Ranchers

Today, U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03), Chair of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, led 51 of their colleagues in urging President Trump to prioritize policies that expand trade market access and provide certainty for American cattle producers. This comes after the president’s recent proclamation to increase the “other countries” quota for lean beef trimmings by 300,000 metric tons for 90 days beginning on September 1, 2026, and indicating that such imports will be sold at 25 percent below market price.

“American ranchers work diligently to do more with less, weather volatile markets, and provide a safe food supply,” the lawmakers wrote. “Cattle markets are cyclical, and ranchers use the upswings to prepare for the inevitable downturn. Any intervention in the natural system, especially at a time when producers are making marketing decisions, threatens to pick winners and losers and undermine the long-term viability of family-owned cattle operations throughout the supply chain.

“As you consider policy changes which could impact American livestock producers, we urge you to prioritize proposals which deliver long-term market stability and confidence while consulting closely with impacted stakeholders,”concluded the lawmakers. “We are eager to work together to deliver certainty for American cattle producers while continuing to deliver safe, affordable, and high-quality American beef.”

In addition to Smith and Moran, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jim Justice (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), and John Hoven (R-ND), and U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), Max Miller (R-OH-07), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02), Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Greg Steube (R-FL-17), Mike Carey (R-OH-15), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), Mike Flood (R-NE-01), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03), Zach Nunn (R-IA-03), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), Gabe Evans (R-CO-08), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-02), French Hill (R-AR-02), Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Greg Murphy (R-NC-03), Frank Lucas (R-OK-03), Andy Barr (R-KY-06), John Rose (R-TN-06), Troy Downing (R-MT-02), Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND-AL), Tim Moore (R-NC-14), Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Ron Estes (R-KS-04), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), Austin Scott (R-GA-08), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02), August Pfluger (R-TX-11), John McGuire III (R-VA-05), Darin LaHood (R-IL-18), Tim Cole (R-OK-04), and Mark Harris (R-NC-08).

Read the full letter here or below:

President Trump,

As you know, the cattle industry is facing 75-year low inventory yet continues to efficiently raise cattle and produce beef that is unmatched in quality anywhere in the world. This does not happen by accident. American ranchers work diligently to do more with less, weather volatile markets, and provide a safe food supply. Cattle markets are cyclical, and ranchers use the upswings to prepare for the inevitable downturn. Any intervention in the natural system, especially at a time when producers are making marketing decisions, threatens to pick winners

and losers and undermine the long-term viability of family-owned cattle operations throughout the supply chain.

Long term certainty can be delivered by fostering existing domestic demand and continuing efforts to expand overseas markets for American beef products, building on the successful trade deals you have already secured. As proven through the deals you struck with the United Kingdom and Australia, there is significant opportunity for advancing market access for American beef around the world. These trade deals, coupled with the significant

benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts, will drive long-term confidence in the market and create a natural incentive for ranchers to rebuild and expand their herds. Additionally, your support for a modernized Farm Bill would strengthen access to capital and expand flexibility within grazing and conservation programs, providing producers with the tools they need to strengthen and expand the cattle herd.

As you consider policy changes which could impact American livestock producers, we urge you to prioritize proposals which deliver long-term market stability and confidence while consulting closely with impacted stakeholders. We are eager to work together to deliver certainty for American cattle producers while continuing to deliver safe, affordable, and high-quality American beef.


Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Lead Effort Demanding HUD Protect Fair Housing Program

(Washington, D.C.) — On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Congressman Al Green, along with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, raising serious concerns about recent actions that threaten the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the local fair housing organizations that serve communities across the nation. A copy of the letter can be accessed by clicking here.

The lawmakers expressed concern that HUD’s proposed funding changes threaten local fair housing organizations, which handle more than 74 percent of housing discrimination complaints nationwide. Following a federal district court order blocking the changes, the lawmakers are calling on Secretary Turner to comply with the court’s order, rescind HUD’s FY 2025 and FY 2026 FHIP funding notices, and ensure nonprofit fair housing organizations remain eligible for funding.

"The Fair Housing Initiatives Program was created by Congress to protect Americans from housing discrimination and ensure that vulnerable communities have access to safe, stable, and equitable housing. The Administration’s repeated attempts to circumvent Congress and dismantle basic civil rights protections are unacceptable," said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. "I am proud to help lead this effort alongside Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to hold this administration accountable for its unlawful implementation of this program and to stand firmly with the organizations and nonprofits doing the essential, on-the-ground work to combat housing discrimination in communities across the country."

“From day one, the Trump administration has tried to reshape HUD from an agency that makes housing fairer and more accessible into one that benefits wealthy developers and landlords,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “Housing costs are skyrocketing, yet HUD is being weaponized to go after municipalities, siphon funding from non-profit organizations seeking to give people opportunities to put a roof over their heads, and gift Trump’s friends instead. Considering Trump's history of housing discrimination as a developer and his eventual refusal to sign the largest bipartisan housing bill in a generation into law, an overarching theme of disregarding the needs of the working-class comes into focus."


Reps. Bera, Salazar Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Eliminate TB Worldwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), co-chairs of the House Tuberculosis Elimination Caucus, reintroduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation would strengthen U.S. efforts to prevent, diagnose, treat, and ultimately eliminate tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. A group of seven bipartisan representatives joined as original cosponsors.

“Tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable, yet it continues to take far too many lives around the world,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. “The End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 ensures the United States remains a leader in this fight by focusing on proven approaches: investing in better diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines and making sure our global health programs are accountable for results. I’m especially grateful to John Green, RESULTS, and TB advocates across the country for their tireless work to raise awareness, build support, and move us closer to ending TB once and for all.”

“Tuberculosis has challenged humanity for centuries. It should not define the centuries ahead,” said Representative María Elvira Salazar. “TB is preventable, treatable, and curable, yet too many people still die because they cannot get a timely diagnosis or the care they need. I’m proud to co-lead the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 to keep America leading this fight, equip our partners with better tools, and stop a preventable disease from claiming more lives. The goal is simple: find it, treat it, and end it.”

“RESULTS is deeply grateful to Rep. Bera and Rep. Salazar for their unwavering commitment to the fight against TB, and for championing this legislation,” said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS. “Communities around the world are leading the fight against TB, and we now have a range of powerful new tools ready to deploy. The U.S. government has already set bold targets for ending TB globally, and this bill provides the framework for how we actually get there. Our volunteers across the country are ready to support Congress to get this bill enacted into law.”

“I’m so grateful to Rep. Bera and Rep. Salazar for advancing the fight against tuberculosis. This disease, curable since the 1950s, has been allowed to ravage the world for far too long,” said John Green, TB advocate and author of the New York Times best-selling book Everything is Tuberculosis. “The End TB Now Act will help reduce the burden of a terrible global scourge.”

The End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 modernizes U.S. global TB programs to focus resources on finding, treating, and preventing tuberculosis, particularly in countries and communities with the highest burden of the disease.

The legislation would:

Expand access to TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including active case finding, rapid diagnostics, treatment for drug-resistant TB, and preventive treatment for people at high risk of infection;

Accelerate research and development of better tools to fight TB, including new diagnostics, drug therapies, vaccines, and other technologies, while strengthening health systems and laboratory capacity;

Set clear goals and strengthen accountability for U.S. programs, including working by 2030 to reduce TB incidence by 80 percent and TB deaths by 90 percent from 2015 levels, diagnose and begin treatment for 90 percent of TB and drug-resistant TB cases, achieve a 90 percent treatment success rate, and provide preventive treatment to 30 million people; and

Require annual reporting on U.S. global TB programs and investments in research and development to track progress and strengthen accountability.

Since 2022, Representative Bera has led bipartisan efforts in the House of Representatives to eliminate tuberculosis. Alongside Representative Salazar, Bera introduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022, which advanced through the House Foreign Affairs Committee that year. He reintroduced the legislation in 2023, when it again passed the Committee unanimously.

As a doctor, Bera has consistently made the case that investing in prevention, detection, and eradication efforts abroad is also an investment in the health and security of Americans at home. Stopping deadly infectious diseases before they spread across borders and reach our shores is a commonsense way to keep Americans safe and defend America from future public health threats.

Companion legislation in the Senate was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).


Congressman Bishop Mourns the Passing of Former U.S. Rep. Charles Hatcher of Georgia

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement upon the news that former Congressman Charles Floyd Hatcher of Georgia has passed away:

“Today, Georgia lost a true public servant and leader. Former Congressman Charles Hatcher was born in Georgia, served our country in the United States Air Force, and returned to Southwest Georgia after earning his law degree and practicing in Albany.

“He served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1973 to 1980 and subsequently in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 through 1993.

“While we competed in the 1992 Democratic Primary for Georgia’s Second Congressional District, which I won, I was glad to have his support and counsel nonetheless as I started my tenure on Capitol Hill.

“He continued to serve Americans as a presidential appointee in the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Clinton Administration and continued to serve the Virginia community in which he resided thereafter, volunteering his time with a number of local charities, including Meals on Wheels, and through his local church, the Washington Street United Methodist Church in Alexandria.

“He leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion through his work and the relationships he built.

“My wife, Vivian, and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Krysta, his children, his grandchildren, and loving family as well as all those whose lives he touched and helped make better. We will miss him dearly.”

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Bonamici Introduces Legislation to Prevent Student Loan Default

WASHINGTON, DC [9/2/26] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced legislation to help student loan borrowers avoid default.

The Streamlining Income-driven, Manageable Payments on Loans for Education (SIMPLE) Act would help student loan borrowers avoid delinquency by automatically enrolling struggling borrowers in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans to make repayment more affordable. This process will remove unnecessary paperwork requirements and use existing taxpayer information to automatically connect borrowers with protections.

“Bureaucratic hurdles should not keep student loan borrowers from more affordable repayment plans,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The SIMPLE Act is commonsense legislation to use existing taxpayer information to automatically place people in plans that better meet their financial needs and provide protection from harmful default."

Student loan default can lead to wage garnishment and the withholding of tax refunds and Social Security benefits. It also can harm credit ratings, making it difficult for borrowers to purchase a car or a home. These consequences disproportionately affect low-income borrowers and borrowers with up to $10,000 in debt and no degree, who are most vulnerable to default.

“Problems arise for many student loan borrowers not due to an inability or unwillingness to pay, but rather due to needless complexity within the system. Many are simply unaware of generous income-driven repayment plans that can lower their monthly payments. The SIMPLE Act would expand access to affordable income-driven repayment options by automatically enrolling struggling borrowers in those plans before they experience the punitive consequences of default. The financial aid community stands in support of this bill,” said Karen McCarthy, Vice President of Public Policy & Federal Relations, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

“We applaud Rep. Bonamici for leading the SIMPLE Act, which makes common-sense improvements to help student loan borrowers access more affordable repayment options and avoid the devastating consequences of loan default,” said Michele Zampini, Associate Vice President of Federal Policy & Advocacy, for The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS).

You can read the full text of the SIMPLE Act here. A summary of the legislation can be found here.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Lucy McBath, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mark Takano, and Frederica Wilson.

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Burlison Opens Hearing on State and Local Natural Gas Bans Increasing Energy Costs

WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Chairman Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) delivered opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “No Flame, More Pain: How State and Local Bans on Natural Gas Increase Costs.” In his statement, Subcommittee Chairman Burlison highlighted how natural gas has remained an affordable and reliable form of energy for American households despite the skyrocketing prices of electricity and other green energy sources, and that bans on natural gas by blue states and cities has made it more difficult for Americans to pay their monthly energy bills and use their appliances of choice. He also underscored that the Trump Administration has worked hard to scale back the burdensome regulations imposed by the Biden Administration that make any aspects of everyday life more expensive and urged the Congress to take action.

WATCH THE REMARKS

Below are Subcommittee Chairman Burlison’s opening remarks as prepared for delivery:


Congresswoman Kat Cammack Issues Statement on the Censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards

"Yesterday, I voted to censure Congressman Chuck Edwards.

I read the Ethics Committee's report, and I read his letter and his lawyers' response with the seriousness they deserve. He had every right to defend himself. It did not change my vote.

The Committee found a persistent pattern of unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young women on his staff, and he did not deny much of the underlying conduct. In fact, defends it. He defends the gifts and the poetry, and he defends traveling with a young woman who had only just left his office. His argument is that none of it broke a rule, and that is precisely the problem.

I was a congressional staffer myself before becoming a Member. I understand the responsibility Members have to the people who work for us. Members of Congress hold enormous power over the people who work for us. 'Technically permitted' is a low bar. Judgment is the standard.

I co-founded the Republican Women's Caucus to raise the standard in this institution, and that starts with how we treat the people who serve alongside us. Two young women left his office, and the Committee said the House lost them because of his conduct.

Congress cannot ask the American people to trust this body if we refuse to hold ourselves accountable. Yesterday's vote was accountability after the fact. My work with Chairwoman Leger Fernández and the Democratic Women's Caucus is about making sure the next staffer never has to get that far. We will have more to share on that work soon."


Congressman Carson Launches Official Congressional Inquiry into Increased ICE Indianapolis Activity

INDIANAPOLIS—Today, amid reports of a surge in ICE arrests across Indianapolis, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) submitted an official Congressional inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security.

Congressman Carson’s inquiry demands answers on the scope and probable cause for ICE’s apparent increased enforcement, including the number of people detained, apprehended, or arrested in Indianapolis this year, and other relevant details to ICE’s activity in Marion County.

In his letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Congressman Carson cites “reports of unnecessary force that put my constituents at risk…The immigrant population does not pose an active threat to the health and safety of our community – but ICE’s reported reckless actions in my district do.” He also writes that more than 96% of individuals ICE arrested in July did not have prior criminal convictions.

Since the Trump administration directed ICE to ramp up enforcement efforts at the start of his second term, Congressman Carson has repeatedly voted against ICE funding and called for the elimination of ICE as the agency continues to arrest indiscriminately, harm civilians and bystanders, and violate the right to due process.

In addition, Congressman Carson has called for an end to ICE detention at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, IN, which has denied medication and legal resources, and where two detainees died earlier this year.

The full text of Congressman Carson’s inquiry can be found below and attached:

Dear Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella:

I write to demand information on reports of a surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests across Indianapolis, including operations involving masked agents, unmarked vehicles, and a dangerous foot pursuit across multiple lanes of traffic.

As representative for Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District, I am requesting information on any increase in enforcement operations in my district, the authority under which these operations are being conducted, and what safeguards are in place to protect my constituents’ constitutional rights and physical safety.

Indianapolis residents and media report a surge of ICE arrests across my district, including reports of unnecessary force that put my constituents at risk. For example, video footage shows ICE agents chasing a man across several lanes of traffic near Post Road and Interstate 70 on September 1, 2026, threatening the safety of drivers and other motorists. Witnesses also report unmarked vehicles and masked agents.

When pressed for answers, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to provide an exact number of people detained, their location, and the outcome of their detention.

As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of officers being able to perform their duties safely. Federal immigration enforcement does not excuse unsafe conduct, racial profiling, or violations of due process. I also understand that effective law enforcement depends on accountability, transparency, clear identification, safe operational planning, and public trust. Masked agents conducting arrests from unmarked vehicles, without appropriate public information about their identity, authority, or mission, creates fear and confusion. It makes it more difficult for residents to distinguish legitimate officers from those impersonating law enforcement. It erodes public trust in law enforcement – which is essential for local authorities to question witnesses and make arrests in cases that actually pose a danger to the general public.

In July, reports show that more than 96% of individuals arrested by ICE nationwide did not have prior criminal convictions. The immigrant population does not pose an active threat to the health and safety of our community – but ICE’s reported reckless actions in my district do.

Accordingly, please provide the following information and documents:


Casar Responds to OpenAI, Anthropic, Demands Greater Transparency About Major Security Lapses

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) responded to information from CEOs of OpenAI and Anthropic, demanding greater transparency about recent major security incidents at both companies.

On August 10, 2026, Casar led dozens of members of Congress demanding that both OpenAI and Anthropic release more information about recent security lapses. While both companies responded with some information, neither met the standard of transparency demanded in the initial request.

OpenAI’s response can be found here and Anthropic’s response can be found here.

In his response to OpenAI, Casar writes he is “deeply concerned about the limited scope” of the investigation into the Hugging Face hacking incident. He also writes: “Your response was insufficient. You have failed to release the logs like the letter asked. The response you did provide reveals significant security errors on the part of OpenAI and the third-party software it relied on, including improper sandboxing and flawed cybersecurity practices.” The full letter can be found here.

In his response to Anthropic, Casar wrote: “Your response was insufficient. You failed to release the logs like the letter asked. You failed to fully answer a majority of the questions posed in the letter. Most notably, your response did not address our question about how many times in the past year an internally deployed Anthropic model has taken action outside of its authorized container, whether any of those events were disclosed to any government body, affected party, or the public, and which internal Anthropic systems a compromised model could reach.” The full letter can be found here.

In both letters, Casar writes: “Your unwillingness to provide Members of Congress with the information we requested is deeply concerning and signals to us that your company is not treating these cybersecurity incidents with the seriousness required.”

He requests both companies respond by September 15th.

Casar’s initial letter to OpenAI can be found here and his initial letter to Anthropic can be found here.

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Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 119th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.


Castro Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Boat Strikes

Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, released the following statement:

“President Trump has revived the Monroe Doctrine to dominate the Western Hemisphere for money, power, and graft. His administration’s illegal and ineffective campaign of boat strikes in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific has violated U.S. laws, failed to meaningfully stop drug trafficking, and legally imperiled U.S. servicemembers ordered to conduct these strikes.

“The American people are through with forever wars, yet this administration has extended strikes to land, including in Venezuela and Ecuador, pulling the United States into a forever war in the Western Hemisphere.

“Despite the seriousness of these strikes, including evidence that the United States killed survivors in a clear violation of U.S. laws, the Republican majority has refused to hold hearings or demand transparency or accountability. That must change and I am confident that it will in the next Congress.

“I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to ensure accountability for the Trump Administration officials involved in these illegal acts.”


Urges NJ to reverse so-called sanctuary state statusSmith condemns tragic death of Jackson infant caused by unlicensed illegal immigrant driver

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) issued the below statement following reports that two illegal immigrants were arrested after their car caused the death of a 9-month-old baby and hospitalized a woman and a 5-year-old child in Jackson:

"Despite being deported from the United States five times and being previously charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license, Ariadna Lazaro-Flores—the owner of the vehicle that caused the death of a nine-month-old baby and the hospitalizations of his mother and five-year-old sister—was still able to obtain a driver’s license in New Jersey. That is shocking.

"Likewise, Maria Cobon-Guzman—the individual in the driver’s seat at the time of the accident—was also in the United States illegally and had never been licensed to operate a motor vehicle.

"Had these individuals been properly vetted and denied entry into the United States, this innocent baby would still be alive, and a young family’s lives would not have been completely shattered.

"This tragedy was completely avoidable, if not for the Biden Administration’s lax and grossly irresponsible immigration enforcement policies. Criminals who are in this country illegally should not be and should never have been able to obtain a driver’s license, either personal or commercial, in the United States.

"The State of New Jersey must repeal its so-called sanctuary state status and allow local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime—and all others—are held accountable and/or removed from the United States."

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